Some lawmakers are weighing the filing of impeachment complaints against both President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, with possible action expected in February.
Senior House Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice said discussions have surfaced among members of the House regarding a potential impeachment case against the President on grounds of betrayal of public trust. He said the move could coincide with the filing of a new impeachment complaint against the Vice President once the one-year constitutional ban expires on February 6, following a Supreme Court ruling that voided the earlier case.
“It may be an exciting February for the House, because based on what I have been hearing, discussions are not limited to the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Erice said in an interview with DZRH.
While talks on a possible complaint against the Vice President have resurfaced, lawmakers familiar with internal deliberations say significant resistance remains within the House. Rumors abound that a substantial amount of congressmen and women are hesitant to cast a vote in favor of impeaching the Vice President — some for altruistic reasons, most due to the high risk factor — as all the current data thus far points to a landslide victory for Duterte in 2028.
“There are also congressmen who are planning to file an impeachment complaint against President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.),” he added.
According to Erice, lawmakers considering the complaint against the President cite his alleged failure to prevent controversial budget insertions and amendments from 2023 to 2025. These insertions were allegedly carried out by Cabinet officials and congressional allies and later enacted into law.
“What I see is a betrayal of public trust because, for three years, he more or less allowed Congress to desecrate his budget. He did not speak up,” Erice said.
“It can be considered a gross inexcusable negligence which is one of the grounds for [betrayal of] public trust,” he added.
Erice further pointed to allegations involving members of the President’s Cabinet.
“There are allegations that members of his Cabinet also got involved in insertions, diversions, and amendments—the defilement of the budget that ended up funding anomalous projects,” he said.
In November, President Marcos accepted the courtesy resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman after they were linked to the budget controversy. Both officials denied any involvement, and Bersamin said he did not volunteer to resign.
Other lawmakers urged caution, stressing that impeachment must be grounded on evidence and constitutional standards. Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said impeachment complaints should not be driven by speculation.
“Any impeachment complaint must be supported by clear facts and solid proof. Anything less will not pass constitutional scrutiny,” Adiong said.
House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V also warned against trivializing the process.
“Impeachment is not a press release. It is a constitutional process that demands proof,” Ortega said.
“We will examine any complaint based on the Constitution and evidence — nothing more, nothing less,” he added.
Malacañang dismissed the impeachment talk as political maneuvering. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the statements lacked factual basis.
“At this point, these are unsubstantiated statements allegedly coming from the supporters of a certain politician,” Castro said.
She said the President respects constitutional processes and remains focused on governance and delivering results for the public.
Any impeachment complaint filed against the President would first be reviewed by the House committee on justice to determine its sufficiency in form and substance. If found sufficient, the complaint must secure the support of at least one-third of all House members before it can be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
