The House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected the first-ever impeachment bid against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. through House Resolution 746, approved by 284 lawmakers, with eight voting against and four abstaining. The resolution dismissed the complaints for lack of substance.
In the plenary, Justice Committee Chair Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro explained that sufficiency in substance is not measured by the number of allegations or attached documents, but by solid evidence and personal knowledge. Members applauded when Deputy Speaker Janette Garin officially announced the passage of the resolution.
Rep. Leila de Lima, on the other hand, said that the vote against impeachment does not clear the president of serious allegations and it weakens the administration's credibility in transparency and anti-corruption efforts. According to her, public doubt remains even if it is not investigated. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta also joined the opposition, saying that it is now more difficult for ordinary Filipinos to demand accountability from impeachable officials.
Rep. Edgar Erice clarified that the recital of facts does not require proof in the first phase; it will be discussed in the second phase of the impeachment hearings, where evidence will be reviewed, witnesses will be called, and both sides will be heard. He said, "When Congress blocks the evidence, it also blocks the search for the truth."
The Makabayan bloc that supported the second complaint stood firm against the House decision, calling it baseless, dishonest, and protective of the president. Meanwhile, several Duterte lawmakers abstained, saying they did not want to be used as props in a show that pretends to seek justice. For now, because the complaints were junked, no new impeachment proceedings can be initiated against Marcos this year.
