PBBM: I’m focused on addressing needs of Filipinos, not impeachment

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

PEOPLE FIRST. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (3rd from left) visits the fire-damaged building of the San Francisco High School in Quezon City on June 18, directing the Department of Public Works and Highways to lead the construction of a new four-story replacement. Marcos said on Saturday (June 21, 2025) that he is focused on attending to the needs of the country and the Filipino people and has no intention to intervene in how Congress handles the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he is focused on attending to the needs of the country and the Filipino people and has no intention to intervene in how Congress handles the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In the latest episode of his podcast aired on Saturday, Marcos was told that the President has a “say” on whatever the decision would be on Duterte’s impeachment case.

“Siguro (Perhaps), if the president chooses to do that. I choose not to,” he said.

“I’m busy with the transport, with the rice, all of the different things that we are doing, nauubos ang oras ko doon. Wala naman akong papel sa impeachment (these consume my time. I have no role in the impeachment anyway),” he said, noting that the impeachment process is between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier said Marcos would not make a move that may appear like he is meddling in the impeachment case of Duterte.

The President, she said, is only open to dialogue that would focus on other pressing issues faced by the country.

Castro, nevertheless, urged the Senate to consider the potential impact of the delays in the impeachment trial of Duterte on the Philippine economy.

This was after the Makati Business Club urged the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty by proceeding with the impeachment trial, as failure to uphold the rule of law could affect investor confidence in the long run.