Duterte Youth Moves to Impeach Marcos Over Duterte’s ICC Arrest
2 min read
MAY 10,2025
MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte Youth party-list tried to file an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 8. Ronald and Marie Cardema, who are spouses and party members, brought the complaint to the House of Representatives.
However, they failed to file it. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco wasn’t available to accept the document. He said the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) was closed for a strategic planning seminar. Work resumes on May 13.
According to the Cardemas, only the Secretary General can accept the complaint. They insisted the rules don’t say it has to be him personally.
Duterte Youth Moves-The Allegations
The Cardemas accused Marcos of violating the Constitution and betraying public trust. They claim he allowed the illegal arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11. He was turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) the next day.
They argue that the arrest was invalid. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, so they say the ICC shouldn’t have jurisdiction. The complaint also claims Marcos gave up Philippine sovereignty by cooperating with Interpol.
Critics Call It a Publicity Stunt
Makabayan lawmakers Arlene Brosas, France Castro, and Raoul Manuel criticized the move. They called it a distraction from Duterte’s human rights cases. They said the Cardemas knew Congress wasn’t in session but still pushed the stunt.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V echoed this. He described it as a political gimmick.
Duterte Youth Party-list Chairperson Ronald Cardema and his wife Ducielle Marie
Jurisdiction Debate
Even though the Philippines left the ICC in 2019, the court still investigates crimes committed before that date. This includes Duterte’s final term as Davao City mayor and his early presidency. His “war on drugs” led to thousands of deaths.
The ICC resumed the investigation in 2021 and again in 2023. The Philippine government tried to block it, but the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the appeal. Two judges disagreed and argued the ICC lacked jurisdiction.
Duterte Youth Moves-Power Struggle Behind the Scenes
This impeachment attempt shows growing tension between the Duterte and Marcos camps. Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’s cousin, leads the House. Earlier this year, the chamber impeached Vice President Sara Duterte with over 215 votes.
Ronald Cardema leads the Duterte Youth. His wife, Marie, served as a representative in the 18th Congress. The group faces a disqualification case for red-tagging, which the Comelec now treats as an election offense.
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