Malacañang on Wednesday turned down proposals to allow detained Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada to participate in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, arguing that doing so would accord them special privileges denied to ordinary detainees.
Speaking at a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the issue extends beyond Senate proceedings, questioning whether persons in lawful custody should be permitted to carry out their professional duties or hold office while facing criminal charges.
“If papayagan sila at magkakaroon ng special treatment, maaaring lahat ng nagtatrabaho na nakakulong ay hayaan na ring magtrabaho habang nakakulong,” Castro said.
Castro warned that granting Marcoleta’s request would set a dangerous precedent for other detained professionals.
She further emphasized that both Marcoleta and Estrada fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, noting the anti-graft court’s previous rejection of Estrada’s request for “virtual freedom.”
The Palace official also cited retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s legal opinion that public officials charged with graft-related offenses, including plunder, ought to remain suspended during trial.
Additionally, Malacañang dismissed Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s claim that the two lawmakers are “political prisoners.”
“Kung iyan ang kaniyang paniniwala, hindi naman siguro ito ang paniniwala ng Sandiganbayan,” Castro said, adding that Cayetano is free to challenge the charges legally if he considers them politically driven.
The request to allow the detained senators to join the trial remains pending before the Senate impeachment court, while both lawmakers remain under the custody of the Sandiganbayan.