An impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was filed Monday with the House of Representatives.

The grounds cited in the complaint are graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.

Receipt of the impeachment complaint against the President was confirmed on Monday morning.

It was the first impeachment complaint filed against Marcos.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the administration recognizes the filing of complaints as provided for under the Constitution.

”We respect this process and trust that Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, will discharge its duties with honesty, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law,” the PCO said.

It said that Marcos fully upholds the Constitution and remains confident in the strength of our democratic institutions.

The PCO also said that while these processes take its course, Marcos will continue to govern in order to ensure that public services remain uninterrupted and that the work of government will remain focused on improving the lives of the public.

”Our institutions are strong, our processes are clear, and the administration remains committed to stability, accountability, and the betterment of every Filipino,” the PCO said.

Grounds

The complaint alleges Marcos violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust by surrendering former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“We are putting to question…holding the President accountable for number one, allowing a citizen of the country to be whisked away, kidnapped, without due process, despite the functioning courts in our country,” the complainant told reporters.

Duterte was in March 2025 over alleged crimes against humanity due to drug war killings during his presidency. The complaint states Duterte was arrested without a valid Philippine warrant of arrest. Duterte has since been detained in The Hague in the Netherlands and is facing charges before the ICC.

The complaint also alleges Marcos is unfit to serve as president due to alleged drug addiction which impairs his judgment, erodes discipline, and undermines moral authority.

It cited a statement from the president’s sister, who said the chief executive has been .

“Respondent’s refusal to submit to a drug test conclusively demonstrates his disregard for transparency and accountability… By remaining silent and evasive, Respondent tellingly confirmed public suspicion and betrayed the trust of a nation he swore to serve,” the complaint said.

“An allegation that a sitting President might be somehow involved in addiction of any sort to prohibited drugs should be alarming. It has been an issue that has been dodged by the President, sweeping it under the rug. That failure to react can be taken against you,” the complainant told reporters.

“Silence means yes. We have not heard from the President denying it. We have not heard from the President undergoing procedure to debunk all these rumors,” the complainant said.

Marcos however was “disappointed” after his sister accused the First Family of using illegal drugs, according to an official statement.

The complaint also alleges that Marcos engaged in graft and corruption through kickbacks and ghost projects.

This the president allegedly did by orchestrating “the insertion of massive amounts into the General Appropriations Act to create a pool of funds for kickbacks – a scheme publicly exposed and widely discussed, leaving no room for denial,” the complaint said.

Marcos also allegedly created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure for probing flood control projects to shield his corrupt allies, according to the complaint.

Budget

The complaint further alleges that Marcos betrayed public trust by failing to veto unprogrammed appropriations and other unconstitutional provisions in the General Appropriations Bill for the years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

It states that the president should be impeached over the signing of a national budget that allowed the transfer of excess PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury in violation of various laws.

Unprogrammed appropriations are budget items which will only be funded if there is excess government revenue collection or other sources of funding such as special laws or loans. The President makes the final call on which budget item under the unprogrammed appropriations

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, established by the Constitution in 1789. It is composed of representatives elected from congressional districts based on state population, with its primary powers including initiating revenue bills and impeaching federal officials.

Constitution

The Constitution of the United States, drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1789, is the world’s oldest written national constitution still in use. It established America’s national government and fundamental laws, guaranteeing certain basic rights for its citizens through its original seven articles and subsequent amendments. Its creation was a pivotal moment in history, forming a federal republic and serving as a model for constitutional governance worldwide.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international tribunal established by the Rome Statute in 2002 to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. It is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and was created as a court of last resort to address atrocities when national judicial systems are unwilling or unable to act. The ICC represents a major development in international law, aiming to end impunity for the world’s most serious crimes.

The Hague

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and the International Court of Justice, known for its role as a global hub for international law and peace. Originally established as a hunting ground for Dutch nobility in the 13th century, it evolved into the country’s administrative capital, though it is not the constitutional capital (which is Amsterdam). Today, it hosts numerous international organizations and is famed for its historic Binnenhof complex and modern Peace Palace.

Netherlands

The Netherlands, a country in northwestern Europe, is historically renowned for its centuries-long battle against the sea, having reclaimed vast tracts of land through an intricate system of dikes, polders, and windmills. Culturally, it is celebrated as the birthplace of iconic artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and its global influence spans from its 17th-century Golden Age of trade and exploration to its modern reputation for progressive social policies and vibrant cities like Amsterdam.

General Appropriations Act

The General Appropriations Act is not a specific place or cultural site, but a key piece of annual legislation in the United States government. It is the primary bill passed by Congress to fund the operations of federal agencies and programs for a fiscal year, based on the budgetary process outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Its history is intertwined with the development of congressional power of the purse, a fundamental check and balance established since the nation’s founding.

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure is not a specific historical place or cultural site, but typically a government or public body responsible for planning, overseeing, and regulating major infrastructure projects like transport, energy, and utilities. Such commissions are often established by modern governments to ensure objective, long-term development and investment in public works, separate from short-term political cycles. Their history is generally tied to 20th and 21st-century efforts to improve national infrastructure through centralized, expert-led management.

National Treasury

The National Treasury, often referred to as the Treasury Department in the United States, is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the nation. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue, and its history is deeply intertwined with the country’s financial system, including the creation of a national currency and the management of public debt.