Marcos faces impeachment complaint over flood-control graft scandal

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is facing an impeachment complaint over allegations he profited from anomalous infrastructure contracts, escalating political pressure amid a multibillion-peso graft scandal.

The complaint, endorsed on Monday by House Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Jernie Jett V. Nisay and filed by lawyer Andre R. de Jesus, cited five grounds for removal, including three directly tied to the flood-control scandal, according to mobile phone photos of the 12-page impeachment complaint circulated to media.

“The proliferation of ghost flood-control projects nationwide confirms the existence of a coordinated and deliberate effort to plunder public funds,” it said.

House of Representatives Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil confirmed receiving the impeachment complaint.

‘This complaint will be transmitted to Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G.   Dy III in accordance with the Constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives,” she said in a statement.

Mr. Nisay, whom the Independent Commission for Infrastructure last year sought to be charged by the ombudsman with plunder due to his alleged links to anomalous flood-control projects, said he expects the impeachment process against Mr. Marcos to start when the complaint gets referred to the justice committee on Jan. 26, when Congress resumes session.

“We believe that in the Constitution… no one, not even the President, is above the law,” he told reporters after the complaint’s filing.

The complaint comes as Mr. Marcos’ administration struggles to contain fallout from a scandal involving billions of pesos in flood control funds. Several officials, politicians and private contractors are accused of diverting P100 billion from P545 billion spent on flood-control projects since 2022 to a handful of contractors, according to government reports.

The President’s office established an independent fact-finding body to investigate the controversy, but the complaint describes it as “a ploy reeking of desperation,” claiming the panel selectively targets political opponents while shielding allies.

Last week, Mr. Marcos suggested the commission’s mandate might end after two top commissioners resigned, leaving doubts over its effectiveness.

The complaint also accuses Mr. Marcos of betraying public trust by failing to veto unprogrammed funds in past budgets, which critics say are prone to corruption.

It also cites his decision to send former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity in his anti-drug campaign, alleging he bypassed domestic legal processes.

“From the outset of his term, his administration has been plagued with corruption scandals, budgetary manipulation and systemic misuse of public funds — all traceable to decisions made or sanctioned at the highest level,” according to the complaint.

Lawmakers from the opposition party Makabayan welcomed the filing. Party-list Reps. Antonio L. Tinio, Renee Louise M. Co, and Sarah Jane Elago said their bloc would pursue its own impeachment initiative.

“We believe that the basis for impeachment is present in the systematic plunder of the budget,” they said in a statement.

Under the 1987 Constitution, impeachment can be pursued for culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. A complaint requires endorsement from at least one-third of House members before it can be sent to the Senate, which convenes as an impeachment court.

House officials said the complaint is ready for review.

“The judgment rests upon the individual members, and this will be voted on by the plenary and the justice committee,” House Justice Committee member Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro said. She added that the process would examine whether the filing is “sufficient in form and substance.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio