MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos questioned on Tuesday whether the recent suspension of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial and the withdrawal of three impeachment charges were orchestrated to sidestep politically damaging debates ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit.
Expressing confusion over the rapid pace of developments, Marcos raised doubts about whether the government was deliberately trying to gloss over domestic political turmoil to present a cleaner image before international dignitaries arrive.
“Ramdam na ramdam namin na nagmamadali. Ang tanong ko lamang: ‘What’s the rush?’ Talaga bang magpapasikat lang tayo dahil parating na si Presidente Trump?” Marcos asked.
“Nalilito ako, at natataranta kami, ba’t minamadali?” she added.
Marcos further suggested that the break was timed strategically so that ongoing controversies would not overshadow the high-profile diplomatic visit.
“Dahil parating si Presidente Trump…so siyempre, ayaw na may pinag-uusapan na hindi maganda, kaya’t biglang nakahinga tayo ng three-week recess kuno, at saka budget hearing lang,” Marcos said.
“Ewan, pakiramdam ko lang,” she added.
The senator’s statements follow the House prosecution panel’s decision to drop three of the four original articles of impeachment against Duterte, leaving only Article II to move forward. This remaining article centers on accusations of unexplained wealth and inconsistencies found in the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
While prosecutors maintain that current evidence under this charge is robust enough to seek her removal, the defense team is slated to begin presenting its side of the evidence on November 9.