MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Justice has officially scheduled the commencement of impeachment proceedings against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for next week.
Committee chair and Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro announced on Tuesday that the initial hearings are set for February 2 to 4, 2026. These sessions will determine if the two complaints filed against the President are “sufficient in form and substance.”
The Procedural Roadmap The committee will follow a strict five-step constitutional process:
- Sufficiency in Form: Verifying that the complaints are properly signed, verified, and sponsored by a House member.
- Sufficiency in Substance: Determining if the allegations substantiate the constitutional grounds for impeachment (treason, bribery, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, or other high crimes).
- Determination of Sufficient Basis: Assessing if there is a factual foundation for the claims.
- Proper Hearings: Inviting complainants, witnesses, and the President (respondent) to provide testimony. Luistro noted that the President’s participation is a “prerogative” and part of his right to due process.
- Probable Cause: Determining if there is enough evidence to move the case to the plenary.
The ‘Smoking Gun’ and Key Allegations The hearings will focus on two consolidated complaints:
- The ‘BBM’ Parametric Formula: Complainants from the progressive group Bayan allege that the President oversaw a systematic plunder of public funds through a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budgeting system. Named the “Baseline-Balanced-Managed” (BBM) formula, it was allegedly used to fund anomalous projects in exchange for kickbacks.
- Betrayal of Public Trust: Former Representative Neri Colmenares stated that the President must answer questions regarding the formula under oath. Malacañang has dismissed the complaints as an “attack on the administration” that could harm the economy.
Impartiality Concerns Despite the House being dominated by administration allies, Luistro vowed that the committee would act with “utmost independence and impartiality.”
- Speaker’s Stance: Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has already publicly stated he finds “no merit” in the complaints.
- Family Recusal: Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the President’s son, has formally recused himself from the Committee on Rules regarding these proceedings to preserve the “integrity of the House.”
Concurrent Cases The Justice Committee may soon be handling multiple high-profile cases, as the Makabayan bloc is expected to refile an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on February 6. Luistro confirmed the panel is prepared to evaluate both cases simultaneously if required.
If the committee ultimately finds probable cause, a vote of at least one-third of all House members (approximately 103 votes) is required to impeach the President and send the case to the Senate for trial.