A Philippine congressional committee dismissed impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos, citing insufficient evidence for corruption and kidnapping allegations.

MANILA: A Philippine congressional committee has dismissed impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos. The complaints alleged corruption in infrastructure projects and the kidnapping of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The committee voted overwhelmingly against advancing the complaints, stating they lacked sufficient substance. One complaint accused Marcos of packing the national budget with projects to redirect funds to allies.

Another focused on allegations that Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court constituted kidnapping. Committee vice chair Representative Ysabel Zamora said the president did not direct any corruption schemes.

“Having an imperfect policy direction is not an impeachable offence,” Zamora stated during the hearing. Lawmaker Alyssa Gonzales said the complaint failed to prove Marcos participated in a systematic corruption scheme.

Makabayan bloc lawmaker Sarah Elago criticised the decision as a “clear attempt to block the accountability process”. She argued allies did not want Marcos to answer serious allegations.

Presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro said lawmakers saw “the real truth”. She stated the complaints had no merit and Marcos committed no impeachable offence.

The committee hearing occurred two days after impeachment complaints were filed against Vice President Sara Duterte. She is considered a possible presidential contender in 2028.

A local lawyer filed the other dismissed case, citing Duterte’s arrest and unproven drug abuse allegations. Any citizen can file an impeachment complaint if endorsed by a Congress member.

Political analyst Dennis Coronacion previously said the complaints had little chance as Marcos enjoys House support. An impeachment by the House triggers a Senate trial, with expulsion for a guilty verdict.

 The Sun Malaysia