PBBM backs rule of law, won’t interfere in VP Sara impeachment

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

The President already expressed his personal reservation against Duterte’s impeachment but also acknowledged that it is not within the executive mandate, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed during a briefing. (PCO file photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not intervene in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing the importance of respecting institutional processes and the separation of powers, Malacanang said on Friday.

The President already expressed his personal reservation against Duterte’s impeachment but also acknowledged that it is not within the executive mandate, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed during a briefing.

“Sa pagkakataon po ng impeachment trial, alam po natin, impeachment trial is not the business of the executive, hindi po makiki-alam ang Pangulo pagdating diyan, pero sinabi po niya, na dapat umandar ang proseso, respeto at due process (In the case of the impeachment trial, we know that impeachment trial is not the business of the executive, the President will not interfere when it comes to that, but he said that the process, respect and due process must work),” Castro said.

She said that the impeachment of the Vice President is now in the hands of the legislative branch, and that President Marcos respects the roles of the prosecutors in the House of Representative, and the senators who will act as judges.

Castro clarified that the President’s past remarks against impeachment should not be misinterpreted as an aversion to accountability, but a personal preference.

However, she said that this does not also mean that the President rejects constitutional process.

“Pag sinabi po natin proseso, dapat sundin ang batas.

Ang taong bayan na po ang titingin at maghuhusga sa mga taong nasa loob o maaaring gumalaw para sa (When we say process, the law must be followed. The people will look and judge those who are in or may move for the) impeachment trial,” she said.

Castro added that the impeachment prosecutors and the senator-judges must now do their job in accordance with the law.