MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is facing an impeachment complaint filed by a lawyer on Monday, accusing him of betraying public trust and violating constitutional duties by allowing the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte earlier this year.
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The impeachment pleading was submitted by Andre De Jesus, who alleged that Duterte’s detention and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague amounted to “kidnapping.” The narrative mirrors claims advanced by the Duterte family, who maintain that the former leader was forced to face trial over the deadly anti-drug crackdown that defined his 2016-2022 term.
JUST IN: An impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been submitted to the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, with Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jett Nisay endorsing it. | @GabrielLaluINQ
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Duterte was arrested in March in connection with the thousands of killings attributed to his controversial war on drugs. The ICC had been pursuing the former president for alleged crimes against humanity.
In addition to the “kidnapping” accusation, the complaint cites purported constitutional violations tied to budget irregularities, alleged graft related to flood control projects, and Marcos’ refusal to address accusations of drug use that critics argue undermine his capacity to govern.
De Jesus said the impeachment route would allow the public to seek answers that, in his view, have been ignored by the administration. “This avenue would enable not just myself … but the Filipino people to thrash out these matters,” he told reporters.
In a statement, the presidential communications office said Marcos respected the democratic process and trusted Congress to act “with honesty, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law.” It added that the president would continue governing while proceedings take their course.
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The lower house of Congress, which previously impeached Vice President Sara Duterte nearly a year ago, is still dominated by Marcos allies, prompting questions about whether the new complaint can move forward. Marcos, elected in 2022, is midway through his single six-year term and is constitutionally barred from re-election in 2028, when Duterte is widely seen as a major contender