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House Panel Clears First Hurdle For Impeach Raps Against PBBM
Photo credit: House of Representatives of the Philippines
The House Committee on Justice has cleared the first procedural hurdle for two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stressing that the move does not mean the complaints have been approved.
In a 46-1 vote with one abstention, the panel on Monday declared sufficient in form the first impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus. The complaint was endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay.
Later in the day, the committee also voted 35-9 with one abstention to declare sufficient in form a second complaint filed by a group of activists and private individuals led by Liza Maza, Teodoro Casiño, Renato Reyes Jr., Atty. Neri Colmenares, and labor leader Ronaldo “Ka Jerome” Adonis. This complaint was endorsed by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co.
Members of the justice panel were quick to clarify that the ruling only allows the impeachment process to move forward and does not touch on the merits of the allegations.
“I just want to make it clear para sa mga kababayan natin, ang nabotohan po natin kanina was about the form,” Vice Chair FPJ Panday Bayanihan Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares said during a press conference.
“Gusto ko maging klaro po ‘yan para sa mga kababayan natin kasi baka isipin nila na we already approved the impeachment. Hindi po ‘yan. Form pa lang ‘yung pinag-uusapan natin dito,” he added.
Committee chair Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro explained that the panel’s action was limited to checking compliance with technical requirements under House rules.
“Ang ating pong tinapos ngayong araw na ito, kung tawagin namin under the rules, is sufficiency in form,” Luistro said. “Ibig sabihin, dapat ang impeachment complaint, signed ng complainant, verified, based on personal knowledge, and authentic records, may endorsement, resolution of endorsement ng member of the House.”
“With all these considerations, pinagtibay po ng boto ng mga myembro ng justice committee na ang De Jesus complaint ay sufficient in form, at ganoon din ang Maza et al. complaint ay sufficient din in form,” she added.
Luistro said the committee’s next step is to determine whether the complaints are sufficient in substance, or whether the allegations cited qualify as impeachable offenses under the Constitution.
“Bukas po, tatalakayin naman ang sufficiency in substance,” she said. “‘Pag sinabi po nating substance, dapat ‘yun pong mga isinulat nila doon na pagkakamali ng impeachable official, they must constitute the offense which is the ground for impeachment.”
“Hindi po sapat na nakasaad doon ‘yung mga pagkakamali. Ang tanong, ito bang pagkakamaling ito, ito ho ba ay impeachable offense?” Luistro explained.
She emphasized that the panel is not yet allowed to weigh evidence or determine the truth of the accusations at this stage.
“Ito po ay preliminary matters of the entire proceeding of impeachment. Ang tututukan lang po namin ay kung ano ang nakasulat at nakikita namin sa impeachment complaint. We are not supposed to go beyond. Bawal pa po kaming makinig ng mga ebidensya to prove the allegations in the complaint,” Luistro said.
Luistro also outlined the remaining steps in the impeachment process, which include requiring the respondent to file an answer if the complaints pass the substance review, possible hearings, and a determination of probable cause.
If the committee eventually finds sufficient basis for impeachment, its report will be sent to the House plenary. Approval by at least one-third of all House members would result in the transmission of the case to the Senate for trial.
In a 46-1 vote with one abstention, the panel on Monday declared sufficient in form the first impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus. The complaint was endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay.
Later in the day, the committee also voted 35-9 with one abstention to declare sufficient in form a second complaint filed by a group of activists and private individuals led by Liza Maza, Teodoro Casiño, Renato Reyes Jr., Atty. Neri Colmenares, and labor leader Ronaldo “Ka Jerome” Adonis. This complaint was endorsed by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co.
Members of the justice panel were quick to clarify that the ruling only allows the impeachment process to move forward and does not touch on the merits of the allegations.
“I just want to make it clear para sa mga kababayan natin, ang nabotohan po natin kanina was about the form,” Vice Chair FPJ Panday Bayanihan Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares said during a press conference.
“Gusto ko maging klaro po ‘yan para sa mga kababayan natin kasi baka isipin nila na we already approved the impeachment. Hindi po ‘yan. Form pa lang ‘yung pinag-uusapan natin dito,” he added.
Committee chair Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro explained that the panel’s action was limited to checking compliance with technical requirements under House rules.
“Ang ating pong tinapos ngayong araw na ito, kung tawagin namin under the rules, is sufficiency in form,” Luistro said. “Ibig sabihin, dapat ang impeachment complaint, signed ng complainant, verified, based on personal knowledge, and authentic records, may endorsement, resolution of endorsement ng member of the House.”
“With all these considerations, pinagtibay po ng boto ng mga myembro ng justice committee na ang De Jesus complaint ay sufficient in form, at ganoon din ang Maza et al. complaint ay sufficient din in form,” she added.
Luistro said the committee’s next step is to determine whether the complaints are sufficient in substance, or whether the allegations cited qualify as impeachable offenses under the Constitution.
“Bukas po, tatalakayin naman ang sufficiency in substance,” she said. “‘Pag sinabi po nating substance, dapat ‘yun pong mga isinulat nila doon na pagkakamali ng impeachable official, they must constitute the offense which is the ground for impeachment.”
“Hindi po sapat na nakasaad doon ‘yung mga pagkakamali. Ang tanong, ito bang pagkakamaling ito, ito ho ba ay impeachable offense?” Luistro explained.
She emphasized that the panel is not yet allowed to weigh evidence or determine the truth of the accusations at this stage.
“Ito po ay preliminary matters of the entire proceeding of impeachment. Ang tututukan lang po namin ay kung ano ang nakasulat at nakikita namin sa impeachment complaint. We are not supposed to go beyond. Bawal pa po kaming makinig ng mga ebidensya to prove the allegations in the complaint,” Luistro said.
Luistro also outlined the remaining steps in the impeachment process, which include requiring the respondent to file an answer if the complaints pass the substance review, possible hearings, and a determination of probable cause.
If the committee eventually finds sufficient basis for impeachment, its report will be sent to the House plenary. Approval by at least one-third of all House members would result in the transmission of the case to the Senate for trial.
Feb 2, 2026
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