Marcos free to attend impeachment hearings

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may or may not attend the House justice committee hearings on the impeachment complaints filed against him.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at Malacañang on March 11, 2025. PHILSTAR / Noel Pabalate

(PHILSTAR Noel Pabalate)

Justice committee chair Rep. Gerville “Jinkybitrics” Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District) said on Tuesday, January 27, that the respondent’s participation is part of his right to due process, but that opting not to attend would be deemed a waiver of his right to be present.

“Kung hindi dumating ang respondent, it is actually his prerogative whether to come or not to come because. If he will choose not to come, that will be interpreted as a waiver of his right to be present during the hearing,” she told reporters in an ambush interview. (If the respondent does not appear, it is actually his prerogative whether or not to attend.... If he chooses not to come, that will be interpreted as a waiver of his right to be present during the hearing.)