Members of civil society groups, supported by the Makabayan bloc, filed an impeachment complaint accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of siphoning ₱545.6 billion ($9.2 billion) from flood control projects to cronies and for 2025 campaign funds. The complaint also alleges direct solicitation of kickbacks, though some claims rely on testimony from a fugitive former lawmaker. Legal experts say the petition faces long odds in a House of Representatives dominated by Marcos allies. Previous impeachment attempts have faltered on procedural grounds.
Impeachment Complaint Alleges ₱545.6B 'Ghost' Flood Projects Tied To President Marcos
Lawmakers Sara Elago, Antonio Tinio and Louise Co show the impeachment complaint against Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos at the House of Representatives on Thursday (TED ALJIBE)(TED ALJIBE/AFP/AFP)
Members of Philippine civil society groups, backed by the Makabayan bloc of left-leaning parties, filed an impeachment complaint on Thursday accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of orchestrating a scheme to divert ₱545.6 billion ($9.2 billion) in flood control funds into the hands of political allies through so-called "ghost" projects.
The complaint, a copy of which was submitted to the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, alleges the funds were redirected to favored contractors and cronies and that some of the redirected money was used as a private campaign war chest ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
Allegations And Evidence
A summary of the filing reviewed by AFP states that the president "institutionalized a mechanism to siphon over ₱545.6 billion in flood control funds, directing them into the hands of favored cronies and contractors." The document also accuses Marcos of directly soliciting kickbacks — a claim that depends in large part on allegations from a former congressman who has since left the country while under investigation.
"The President's involvement in the grand scheme of corruption makes impeachment necessary to hold him accountable. The people have been robbed repeatedly and systematically," the complaint summary says.
Marcos has repeatedly said his administration exposed the issue of ghost projects and taken credit for initiating probes that have implicated construction firm owners, officials and lawmakers. Critics, including complainant Liza Maza, say those investigations are a deliberate cover-up to deflect blame from the president.
Political Context And Likely Outcome
Under the Philippine Constitution, any citizen may file an impeachment complaint so long as it is endorsed by a member of the House of Representatives. Observers say the complaint faces long odds in a House dominated by allies of Marcos. Dennis Coronacion, chair of political science at the University of Santo Tomas, told AFP the case has a "very slim chance" of advancing through the House Committee on Justice or the plenary.
This is the second impeachment complaint lodged against Marcos this week. An earlier petition by a private lawyer cited the arrest and transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court and included unproven allegations of drug abuse. Previous high-profile impeachment efforts in the Philippines — such as complaints filed in 2024 against Vice President Sara Duterte — have met procedural hurdles and were ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court for violating constitutional rules on multiple proceedings within a year.
What Comes Next
If the House accepts the complaint, it could be referred to the Committee on Justice for investigation. Even so, success would require political support in a chamber where Marcos allies hold a majority. Legal experts say the case is symbolic in the short term but could increase public scrutiny of alleged corruption and pressure for further investigations.
Reporting contributed by AFP.
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