Malacañang on Thursday said it is not interfering with the National Unity Party’s (NUP) stance on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that lawmakers are free to decide based on their own assessment of the evidence.
The NUP, the second-largest bloc in the House of Representatives after Lakas-CMD, earlier signaled it would “most likely not vote” to support the impeachment unless compelling new evidence emerges during hearings.
During a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the administration is not exerting pressure on members of Congress.
“Decision po nila iyan. May kalayaan po silang mag-decide, hindi naman po sila sinasaklawan ng ating Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito,” she stated.
Castro also brushed aside questions about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s influence in the House, saying the issue should not revolve around political numbers but around due process.
“Huwag nating isingit o ilagay sa issue ang numero ng Pangulo sa House of Representatives. Ang Pangulo po ay bumabase sa proseso at sa ebidensiya,” she said.
The Palace maintained that impeachment proceedings must follow constitutional processes, with decisions anchored on facts and evidence rather than political considerations.