Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is facing impeachment charges over allegations that he benefited from dodgy infrastructure contracts, increasing political pressure amid a multibillion-peso corruption scandal.
The complaint, approved Monday by Deputy Minority Leader and Party List Attorney Jernie Jett V. Nisay and filed by attorney Andre R. de Jesus, outlined five grounds for removal, including three directly related to the flood control scandal, according to cellphone images of the 12-page complaint released to the media.
“The proliferation of flood control projects across the country confirms the existence of a concerted and deliberate attempt to extort public funds,” he said.
The Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, confirmed the receipt of the demotion complaint.
“This appeal will be forwarded to Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III in accordance with the Constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Nisay, the Independent Infrastructure Commission last year wanted to be charged by the ombudsman for extortion due to allegations that he was connected to flood control systems in a strange way, he said he expected that the process of impeachment of Mr. Marcos began when the complaint was referred to the justice committee on January 26, when Congress resumed session.
“We believe that in the Constitution … no one, not even the President, is above the law,” he told reporters after the petition was filed.
The appeal comes as the Marcos administration struggles to contain the outbreak of a scandal involving billions of pesos in flood control funds. Several officials, politicians and private contractors are accused of diverting R100 billion from the R545 billion allocated for flood control projects from 2022 to a handful of contractors, according to government reports.
The Office of the President has established an independent fact-finding panel to investigate the controversy, but the complaint describes it as a “desperation tactic,” saying the panel specifically targeted political opponents while protecting allies.
Last week, Mr Marcos suggested that the commission’s mandate may expire after two top commissioners resigned, leaving doubts over its effectiveness.
The complaint also accuses Mr Marcos of betraying public trust by failing to oppose unplanned spending in the last budget, which critics say is prone to corruption.
It also cites his decision to extradite former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity in his anti-drug campaign, allegations that he bypassed domestic legal procedures.
“Since the beginning of his tenure, his administration has been plagued by corruption scandals, budget manipulation and misuse of public funds – all following decisions made or approved at the highest level,” according to the complaint.
Members of the opposition Makabayan welcomed the application. Group list lawyers. Antonio L. Tinio, Renee Louise M. Co, and Sarah Jane Elago said their bloc will conduct its own impeachment campaign.
“We believe that the basis for indictment exists in the systematic looting of the budget,” they said in a statement.
Under the 1987 Constitution, impeachment can be pursued for constitutional violations, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. A petition needs approval from at least one-third of the House members before it can be sent to the Senate, which meets as an impeachment court.
House officials said the appeal is ready for review.
“The decision is up to individual members, and this will be voted on by the justice committee,” said House Judiciary Committee member Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro. He also added that the program will check whether the filing is “adequate for the situation and for the specific matter.” – Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
