In a significant development within Philippine politics, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice has postponed a decisive vote regarding the substantive merits of impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The committee, following extensive deliberations on Tuesday, opted to suspend proceedings without reaching a determination on whether sufficient grounds exist to advance the first impeachment petition.
Committee Chairperson Jinky Luistro granted requests from multiple members to defer the crucial substance vote until Wednesday. This delay comes after the 47-member panel previously validated both complaints as formally sufficient on Monday, February 1st, establishing the procedural foundation for substantive evaluation.
The initial complaint, filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus on January 19th, alleges multiple constitutional violations including treason, bribery, graft, corruption, and betrayal of public trust. Meanwhile, activist organizations submitted a separate impeachment petition two weeks ago containing similar accusations against the president.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the first complaint encountered substantial opposition from the predominantly pro-Marcos committee. Members introduced an unprecedented requirement demanding the inclusion of annexes beyond traditional impeachment documentation, potentially complicating its passage. Representative Jett Nisay, who endorsed the initial complaint, faced intense questioning from committee members aligned with the administration.
The second complaint, endorsed by activist legislators, focuses specifically on allegations of institutionalized corruption through unprogrammed appropriations within the national budget. These budgetary mechanisms allegedly facilitate kickbacks through anomalous flood control projects, with whistleblowers claiming Marcos personally ordered such arrangements to receive billions in illicit payments.
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc emphasized that Marcos Jr., as the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., remains particularly vulnerable to fraud allegations given the family’s historical legacy. The postponed vote represents a critical juncture in determining whether impeachment proceedings will advance against the Philippine leader.