Solons call Marcos impeachment bid 'vague' and baseless

Several lawmakers on Tuesday played down the impeachment move against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong describing the effort as “vague, shapeless, and formless,” and warning against using impeachment as a casual political weapon.

Adiong, who also serves as House assistant majority leader, cautioned that reckless or premature impeachment filings could harm the country’s international reputation and weaken investor confidence.

His remarks came a day after a 12-page impeachment complaint was filed at the House of Representatives against President Marcos by lawyer Andre de Jesus, raising questions over whether the case could gain traction in a chamber dominated by administration allies.

“Yes, may supermajority po tayo diyan. It’s still a numbers game, it’s also political,” Adiong said, referring to the current composition of the House. “Kaya nga sinasabi namin, the impeachment is not a joke, it’s not a light matter where you can actually take it up any time of the day.”

He stressed that impeachment is a constitutional responsibility that must be handled with restraint, noting that the authority rests solely with the House of Representatives.

He said the impeachment “process is a solemn duty that need to be taken cared off. “It’s a constitutional mandate given only and exclusively to the House of Representatives. That’s why we have to take this very, very seriously,” Adiong said.

The lawmaker added that allegations against any impeachable official, including the President, should not automatically trigger the filing of a complaint.

“If there are concerns, if there are issues that one might think that would be, would hold the President or any impeachable officer to account, kailangan hindi agaran magpa-file ka na lang [ng impeachment complaint],” he said.

Asked about the potential international impact of impeachment moves, Adiong agreed that the consequences could be swift and far-reaching.

The complaint filed by de Jesus is the first impeachment rap lodged against President Marcos.

Adiong’s comments echoed the position of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, who earlier described the complaint as “unjustifiable.”

Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice also dismissed the impeachment bid, saying he would not support it because it is “garbage.”

Adiong further said the accusations against President Marcos rely largely on long-standing claims from vocal critics that have already been aired publicly without presenting new, verifiable evidence capable of meeting constitutional standards.