Palace rejects VP Sara’s claim administration prioritizes impeachment, staying in power

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 27, 2026

Photo courtesy: Presidential Communication Office/PNA

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s accusation that the Marcos administration and its allies are prioritizing her impeachment, the division of the 2027 national budget, and efforts to remain in power instead of addressing flooding and poverty.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Wednesday that remaining in office beyond constitutional limits is not on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda, adding that the ongoing impeachment proceedings are being conducted under processes provided for in the Constitution.

“So kaninong administrasyon iyong gusto niyang manatili? Kasi on the part of our President, hindi iyan ang nasa isip ng Pangulo,” Castro said.

The Palace response came after Duterte challenged prosecutors to prove the impeachable offenses alleged against her through evidence rather than “insults, speculation, or political theatrics.”

Duterte cited remarks made during the proceedings, including a senator-judge calling a witness “stupid,” a prosecution lawyer referring to her as the alleged “mastermind of a scam,” and an earlier reference to her as a “brat.” 

She argued that such statements neither prove the allegations nor constitute evidence. The impeachment court has since reminded parties about decorum, while Presiding Officer Francis Escudero has ordered those involved in the proceedings to refrain from publicly discussing the merits of the pending case.

The Vice President also accused the administration and its allies of focusing on impeachment and political maneuvering while the country deals with flooding and poverty.

Castro disputed the accusation, saying Duterte could scrutinize the proposed 2027 budget, particularly during the bicameral conference process. She also maintained that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism for holding public officials accountable.

The Palace official further pointed to the testimony of Office of the Vice President Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio in the impeachment trial. Castro claimed his testimony further demonstrated Duterte’s knowledge of matters involving the OVP’s confidential funds.

Ortonio testified that Duterte reviewed and approved the OVP’s responses to Commission on Audit findings involving confidential funds before they were transmitted. He had also confirmed that the OVP initially sought confidential funds without supporting documents and before a physical and financial plan for their use had been prepared.

On Duterte’s criticism over widespread flooding, Castro acknowledged that flooding remains a problem but cited the situation in Davao City, where Marcos directed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to address severe flooding.

According to the Palace, officials found a flood-control project dating back to 2019 that remained unfinished, while dredging in the affected area had reportedly not been conducted for years. Marcos earlier ordered the DPWH and other agencies to adopt a coordinated approach with local governments in addressing flooding.

Castro also said the government is coordinating with the DPWH to verify a May 30, 2022 report stating that 13,970 flood-control projects had been completed under the Duterte administration as of March 2022.

She stressed that the review should determine whether the reported projects exist and were properly completed. The Palace said the verification, by itself, does not constitute an accusation of wrongdoing.

The exchange comes as Duterte’s impeachment trial continues, with her alleged handling of confidential funds among the central issues being examined by the Senate impeachment court.