Marcos won鈥檛 interfere in debate on Duterte impeachment trial
ART AND POLITICS Artist Sim Tolentino on Monday finishes a mural on June 2 depicting Vice President Sara Duterte in the midst of the scandal involving the misuse of confidential funds, which led to her impeachment by the House of Representatives. The mural can be found at the Katipunan Freedom Wall of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. — Photo by Grig C. Montegrande
MANILA, Philippines — The Palace has once again distanced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from the ongoing clamor surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the proouncement on Wednesday, June 4, when asked about the Palace’s position on the ongoing debates surrounding whether the impeachment trial against Duterte can be carried over from the 19th Congress to the 20th.
“As for the President’s view on this matter, first of all, the President clearly stated that Vice President Sara has already been impeached, which is why he will not interfere. He will not take any action regarding this, as everything that happens next is now in the hands of the Senate,” said Castro in a Palace press conference.
READ: Politics trumps law in Duterte impeachment trial delays – Drilon
The Palace official, however, reiterated that what Marcos wants right now is for due process to be upheld in the impeachment process, emphasizing that the rule of law should be followed.
She then emphasized that the President should not be blamed for whatever decision the Senate makes on the matter as it is solely the responsibility of the Senate.
“Whether or not the impeachment pushes through, it seems that it does not fall under the President’s jurisdiction. What we simply want to convey is that the President should not be dragged into or blamed for whatever decision the Senate makes on the matter,” said Castro. /das
