MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang stated that Vice President Sara Duterte does not need advice regarding questions surrounding her continued business holdings, emphasizing that no public official should operate above the law.
During a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro declined to comment on whether the Vice President’s legal counsel should have advised her to relinquish her business stakes upon taking office in 2022.
“Hindi na po kami magkokomento diyan, si VP Sara naman ay malaki na at hindi na dapat binibigyan ng anumang advice, alam niya na po ang kanyang ginagawa,” Castro said.
The issue emerged as lawmakers raised constitutional restrictions governing executive officials, specifically whether the Vice President is permitted to maintain or manage corporate stakes while in office.
When asked if the administration believes prohibitions against managing business interests should be strictly enforced, Castro remarked that the law must be applied uniformly.
“May batas po. Maliwanag ang batas. So, kung ano po iyong nasa batas iyon lang dapat po ang sundin, iyon ang dapat na ipatupad at hindi po kinakailangan na ang isang tao ay maging above the law,” she stated.
Castro reinforced that legal mandates apply equally across all government positions.
“So, hindi po dapat pinapairal iyong salitang impunity. So, kung ano lang po iyong sa batas dapat tuparin,” Castro added.
The questions arose during the ongoing impeachment trial proceedings, where senators raised concerns over why Duterte did not divest from her financial interests after assuming the vice presidency and whether her legal team advised compliance with constitutional restrictions.