President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte. - Inquirer Graphics
MANILA: Allegations that he allowed the “kidnapping” of former President Rodrigo Duterte and claims that he received kickbacks from a flood control corruption scheme were among the grounds cited in the first impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In his 14-page complaint filed before the House of Representatives on Monday (Jan 19), lawyer Andre De Jesus cited six grounds, which he said amounted to culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust:
>Allegedly ordering and enabling the kidnapping and surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC)
>Allegedly being a drug addict, which impairs his judgment and leadership
>Alleged failure to veto unprogrammed appropriations and other unconstitutional provisions in the General Appropriations Acts for 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
>Allegedly benefiting from kickbacks linked to budget insertions and ghost flood control projects
>Allegedly creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to shield corrupt allies
>Allegedly violating the Constitution and betraying public trust by surrendering Duterte to the ICC
According to De Jesus, one of Marcos’ impeachable offenses was allowing Duterte’s arrest, even though he ran in 2022 alongside Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
On March 11, former President Duterte was barred from leaving Ninoy Aquino International Airport after returning from Hong Kong, as local authorities assisted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in enforcing an arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The order was related to crimes against humanity charges connected to Duterte’s administration’s drug war.
“Respondent (Marcos) rose to power through political unity with the ‘Duterte Bloc,’ only to later betray that alliance in the most treacherous manner.
On March 11, 2025, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested without a valid Philippine warrant and forcibly transferred to the ICC—an act constituting kidnapping under the guise of state authority,” De Jesus said in the complaint.
“The arrest and transfer were carried out despite the continued operation of Philippine courts, proving that Respondent deliberately resorted to foreign intervention and completely ignored domestic legal processes,” he added.
De Jesus claimed the government’s decision to “surrender” a former President is a “direct affront to national sovereignty and a blatant violation of constitutional guarantees of due process.”
“Millions of Filipinos protested this act, recognising it for what it was: political persecution sanctioned by Respondent himself,” he added.
De Jesus also alleged that Marcos should be held liable for failing to exercise veto powers over unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget from 2022 to 2026, even amid claims that the 2025 allocations fuelled the infrastructure corruption scandal.
“Respondent was grossly negligent in failing to veto unprogrammed appropriations in the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 General Appropriations Acts — omissions that indubitably amount to betrayal of public trust. He failed to veto unconstitutional provisions in multiple national budgets despite his clear duty to do so,” he said.
“Respondent failed to veto the provision in the 2024 national budget that the Supreme Court later voided for being unconstitutional. This pattern of inaction is not mere negligence — it is deliberate acquiescence designed to preserve discretionary control over public funds,” he added.
De Jesus also cited allegations by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, who released video statements in November 2025 implicating Marcos in the infrastructure corruption scheme.
“The proliferation of ghost flood control projects nationwide confirms a coordinated and deliberate effort to plunder public funds. Such large-scale corruption could not have occurred without presidential approval,” De Jesus said.
“Respondent is therefore not merely complicit—he is the central figure in a corruption scheme that enriched political insiders at the expense of the Filipino people,” he added.
De Jesus referred to Co’s claim that Marcos, through former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, directed him to include P100 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 budget.
According to Co, the plan began after Pangandaman called to inform him that Marcos wanted the insertions in the 2025 national budget. Co initially hesitated but said other cabinet officials insisted Marcos’ order be followed.
Earlier, during the filing of the complaint, De Jesus explained the other grounds he cited. He said he believes the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which has been investigating the flood control controversy, has been weaponised against the President’s political opponents.
De Jesus also claimed that Marcos’ refusal to directly address allegations of illegal drug use — even amid insinuations and accusations from his sister, Senator Imee Marcos — could be used against him legally.
This is the first impeachment complaint filed against Marcos since he assumed the presidency in 2022.
The House previously handled impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged corruption involving the misuse of confidential funds in her office from 2022 to 2024. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
