Philippine Congress Dismisses Impeachment Complaints vs Marcos

The Philippine House of Representatives on February 10 voted overwhelmingly to dismiss impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ending efforts to initiate an impeachment trial against the country’s leader.

The decision underscored the president’s firm grip on the Philippine Congress, where his allies hold a commanding majority.

Lawmakers voted 284-8, with four abstentions, to throw out the complaints after the House Committee on Justice earlier ruled that the petitions lacked sufficient legal basis.

The vote halted proceedings before they could advance to the Senate, which acts as the Senate impeachment court under the Philippine Constitution.

• Philippine Congress dismisses impeachment complaints against Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
• Marcos secures decisive House vote, blocking impeachment until 2027
• Focus shifts to Sara Duterte after Marcos impeachment bid fails

The complaints accused Marcos of betrayal of public trust, corruption, and constitutional violations. Allegations included claims of misuse of public funds linked to infrastructure and flood-control projects. Complainants also cited Marcos’s decision to allow the arrest and transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, where he faces proceedings at the International Criminal Court over killings tied to the anti-drugs campaign.

Marcos has denied the accusations, saying the impeachment efforts were politically driven and unsupported by evidence. His allies in Congress echoed that view during floor debates, arguing that the complaints recycled claims already reviewed by oversight agencies and courts.

With the dismissal, the constitution bars the filing of another impeachment complaint against the president until 2027, effectively shielding Marcos from further attempts during the remainder of the current Congress. The vote provides political stability for the administration as it advances its legislative agenda, including economic reforms, infrastructure spending, and foreign policy priorities.

Attention now turns to Vice President Sara Duterte, who faces renewed impeachment complaints filed earlier this month following a similar bid last year. The developments highlight widening political divisions among senior leaders.

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Since the return of democracy in 1986, impeachment in the Philippines has been rare. Only former president Joseph Estrada was impeached, and his trial collapsed in 2001 amid political unrest.