Palace says impeachment bid versus Marcos could hurt Philippine economy

THE impeachment complaint filed on Monday against Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. could hurt the economy and the country’s foreign relations, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

“Regardless of who filed it, it is not good for the President’s image to be hit with an impeachment complaint,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino.

“It is also not viewed positively by economists… as it creates the perception that some sectors are dissatisfied or negative about the President’s performance,” she added.

Ms. Castro separately told GMA News the impeachment move could also affect how the Philippines is viewed overseas.

The remarks come as the government recently lowered its economic growth targets for 2026 and 2027, citing lingering headwinds from a high-profile corruption scandal and broader global and domestic uncertainties.

Economic Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan this month said the Development Budget Coordination Committee set a 5%-6% gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for 2026 and 5.5%-6.5% for 2027, down from 6%-7% for both years. The 6%-7% target for 2028 was kept.

Mr. Balisacan said the adjustment reflected weaker momentum last year, with growth slowing to about 4.8%-5% as infrastructure spending and business confidence were affected. The revised outlook also aligns with projections from multilateral institutions. Full-year 2025 GDP data will be released on Jan. 29.

Mr. Marcos is facing an impeachment complaint linked to a widening flood control corruption scandal involving lawmakers, contractors and senior government officials.

The complaint was filed on Jan. 19 by lawyer Andre R. de Jesus and endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Jernie Jett V. Nisay.

The 12-page complaint cited multiple grounds for impeachment, including personal benefit from anomalous infrastructure contracts and failure to veto unprogrammed budget funds.

It described a network “ghost” flood control projects, which it said pointed to systematic plunder of public funds.

Ms. Castro also dismissed claims of a link between Mr. De Jesus and First Lady Marie Louise A. Marcos, following allegations by Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte that the complainant had served as the First Lady’s legal counsel in a disbarment case against a former lawmaker. Ms. Castro said no such case was filed by the First Lady.

Mr. Duterte earlier described the impeachment bid as “drama” and questioned its motives. Allies of the President in the House, including Speaker Faustino G. Dy III, have dismissed the complaint as lacking merit.

The filing places House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III, the President’s son, in a potentially sensitive position should the case advance in the chamber.

Ms. Castro said she was unaware of any discussion between father and son on the matter.

“The President’s instruction to his son has always been to simply do his job,” she said. “There is no special treatment for relatives or allies.”

‘VAGUE ASSERTIONS’
Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who heads the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said the impeachment complaint is unlikely to move forward in the absence of credible evidence.

“This particular complaint appears crafted more for media consumption than for serious constitutional scrutiny,” he said in a statement.

“The House will not treat impeachment as a mere press statement or partisan maneuver. We will demand substance, and in this instance, substance is conspicuously absent,” he added.

Mr. Adiong stressed that impeachment complaints should not be based on recycled accusations, hearsay, or political grievances.

“Vague assertions and political dissatisfaction do not meet that standard,” he said. “The House leadership and the majority recognize this reality. This effort is unlikely to even reach the plenary for a vote on endorsement.”

The complaint, filed on Monday, also accuses Mr. Marcos of bypassing domestic legal processes by sending his predecessor Rodrigo R. Duterte to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity tied to his deadly war on drugs.

Mr. Adiong noted that the allegations largely rely on long-standing claims from vocal critics that have already been aired publicly without producing verifiable evidence.

“Any impeachment article must allege and substantiate at least one of the specific impeachable offenses enumerated in the 1987 Constitution,” he said.

Under the Constitution, impeachment may be initiated on grounds such as culpable violation of the Charter, bribery, graft and corruption, or betrayal of public trust.

Mr. Adiong said lawmakers would continue to uphold the standard of requiring evidence and verifiable allegations before considering any complaint.

Under the Constitution, any Filipino may file an impeachment complaint, but at least one-third of all House members must endorse it before it can be transmitted to the Senate, which sits as an impeachment court. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Adrian H. Halili