A Past attempts at impeachment

The Philippine impeachment law, as one manifestation of democracy, allows a legal process by which the president, the vice president, the members of the Supreme Court, the members of the Comelec, COA and CSC, as well as the Ombudsman may be removed from office

The Philippine Constitution provides that all impeachment charges shall emanate from the House, and if the complaint comes from a private individual, it should be endorsed by a member of the House. After following the strict procedures in the House, the plenary, which means all members of the Lower Chamber, shall decide whether or not to endorse the charges to the Philippines Senate. The Upper Chamber shall then conduct an impeachment trial. If convicted by a vote of 16 out of 24 or two thirds, then the impeached official shall either be removed from office or censured.

In 1949, President Elpidio Quirino was accused of corruption in the alleged ostentatious renovation of Malacañang Palace and he was also charged with diamond smuggling. The charge was dismissed by the appropriate committee of Congress for lack of evidence. In 1964, his political opponents accused President Diosdado Macapagal of illegally importing rice in order to build support for the forthcoming presidential elections. The charge was dismissed. Impeachment can also be used for political purposes in order to weaken or malign a political rival.

In 1985, 56 lawmakers filed a complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. for alleged bribery, graft. corruption, plunder, unexplained wealth, granting monopolies to cronies. The Batasang Pambansa or National Assembly dismissed the charges after five hours of discussion for lack of evidence. In 1988, there was a charge against President Corazon Aquino for alleged violation of the Constitution. Again, it was dismissed for want of evidence. It is very easy to file charges but quite challenging to support it with evidence

On November 13, 2000, Speaker Manuel Villar transmitted to the Senate the Articles of Impeachment of President Joseph Estrada for alleged bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution after the House voted to impeach him. On December 7, 2000, the impeachment trial was started by the Senate with Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr presiding. On January 16, 2001, the Hose prosecutors walked out due to perceived unfair rulings by the senator judges. That walkout triggered the EDSA II which led to the ouster of President Erap.

President GMA faced multiple impeachment charges every year, 2005, in 2006, 2007 and 2008 but all charges were dismissed for lack of at least one-third vote aiming the House members. President Benigno S Aquino III also faced four impeachment charges in 2014 due to the DAP or Disbursement Acceleration Program. They were dismissed for lack of evidence. He was also charged with violating public trust when he signed the EDCA or the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US. For lack of evidence, it was also dismissed by the committee of the House for lack of substance.

In 2017 and 2019, both president Rodrigo Duterte and vice president Leni Robredo were also charged but the charges were not proven. Other officials who were attempted to be impeached were Ombudsman Anaiano Desierto, Comelec Commissioner Luzviminda Tangcangco, Comelec Chairman Ben Abalos, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Renato Corona, Andres Bautista and Sara Duterte in 2025.

There are precedents and impeachment is not new in this jurisdiction.