President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday denied any involvement in the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the Executive branch has no role in the process.
“The Executive cannot have a hand in the impeachment. Walang role ang Executive sa impeachment,” Marcos told reporters during a press conference.
However, he acknowledged discussing the matter with lawmakers, including Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“Did we discuss it with the Speaker and other congressmen? Of course. The question is, what are your plans? What do you intend to do? It’s here, and we cannot avoid it,” he said.
On Sandro Marcos’ Role as Lead Signatory
When asked about his son, Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, being the first signatory on the impeachment complaint, the President said Sandro sought his advice.
“I told Cong. Sandro, ‘The process has already begun. It is now your duty to support that process. You are constitutionally mandated to carry it out, so do your duty.’ That’s what I told him. I didn’t know he would be the first to sign, though,” Marcos said.
No Act of Defiance
Despite previously stating that impeachment proceedings would not benefit the public, Marcos clarified that lawmakers were not defying his stance.
“No, it’s not defiance. The parties that filed the impeachment cases felt strongly about it. Despite my opinion that we’d rather not have the impeachment, they pushed forward because they believed it was necessary,” he explained.
Open to Special Session, But No Formal Request Yet
Marcos also said he is open to calling a special session to discuss Duterte’s impeachment if requested by the Senate.
“If the senators ask for it, yes,” he said. “But if there’s no request, it means they have other priorities and are not yet ready.”
The House of Representatives transmitted the impeachment complaint to the Senate after 215 lawmakers endorsed it. However, the Senate did not tackle the articles before adjourning for the 2025 election campaign period.
Impeachment Trial Set for June
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero stated that the impeachment trial would not start until Congress resumes in June. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. cited the need for “complete staff work” to review the articles of impeachment before proceeding.
Vice President Duterte has yet to issue a statement but previously welcomed the filing of the complaints. Meanwhile, her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, condemned the impeachment as a “sinister political attack.”
Key Allegations in the Impeachment Complaint:
- Conspiracy to assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Romualdez.
- Malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds with questionable liquidation documents.
- Bribery and corruption in the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure as Secretary.
- Unexplained wealth and non-disclosure of assets, including a fourfold increase in her wealth from 2007 to 2017.
- Involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City.
- Destabilization, insurrection, and public disorder, including calling for Marcos’ resignation and obstructing congressional investigations.
- Overall misconduct as Vice President, violating public trust.
The impeachment trial is expected to be a critical political showdown when Congress resumes session in June.