Malacañang clarified on Wednesday that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is not behind efforts to push the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro refuted claims linking the President to the proceedings, emphasizing that no such directive or statement had been issued.
“There’s no information suggesting that the President is pursuing the impeachment or trial of VP Sara. We strongly deny such claims,” said Castro.
She also dismissed speculation that the Palace is confident about Duterte’s removal from office, stating that there was no assertion made regarding the outcome.
Although Marcos and Duterte ran as a tandem in the 2022 elections, their relationship has reportedly deteriorated over time.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the charges, which include betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, graft, and other serious offenses.
Senate President Chiz Escudero previously shared a tentative schedule for the impeachment trial, with the Senate set to receive the Articles of Impeachment on June 2 and the trial expected to begin by July 30.
In response, Duterte filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to halt the proceedings. She recently stated she is prepared to face the outcome of the trial.