MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang stated that it cannot interfere with the prosecution’s choice to drop three out of four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, describing the move as a matter of “legal strategy.”
During a Palace briefing on Wednesday, October 14, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that while the administration respects the decision, the government remains committed to truth, transparency, and accountability.
“Well, everybody, we are all for the truth. We are all for transparency and accountability,” Castro said.
“Pero kung ito ang legal na estratehiya ng prosecution, hindi po natin mako-question kung ano man ang kanilang desisyon at kung ano ang ipakita nilang mga ebidensya at mga dokumento. Iyon siguro ang mananatili sa isipan natin,” she stressed.
Castro noted that the Vice President had previous opportunities to address the issues covered by the withdrawn charges, particularly regarding confidential funds.
“Sabi nga natin kung noon pa, especially itong tinanggal na, iyong winithdraw na mga complaints, ay noon pa naipaliwanag ng Bise Presidente, especially patungkol sa confidential funds, hindi na nga po siguro aabot sa impeachment trial,” she said.
When asked if dropping the charges would weaken their pursuit of justice, Castro expressed confidence that the prosecutors understand which pieces of evidence carry the most weight.
“Actually, isa lang naman po ang kakailanganin kung kinakailangan na maipakita na dapat na ma-impeach ang Bise Presidente… So mas kabisado po nila kung ano ang mas malakas nila na mga ebidensya,” the Palace official added.
Furthermore, Castro reaffirmed that the Executive branch and the President maintain a strict hands-off policy regarding the ongoing trial proceedings.
“Again, ang administrasyon, ang ehekutibo, si Pangulo at ang administrasyon na ito ay hindi po nakiki-alam kung anuman ang ginagawa ng prosecution, kung ano man ang magiging desisyon ng senator-judges dito sa impeachment trial, kung iyon ang nakikita nila sila naman ang mga prosecutor,” she stated.
The development follows an announcement made on Tuesday, October 13, by Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, the lead prosecutor of the House panel.
Luistro informed the Senate impeachment court that they are dropping Article I (confidential funds), Article III (bribery), and Article IV (grave threats) to focus entirely on the charge of unexplained wealth.