Malacañang considers the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to be running smoothly, according to Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, July 9, Castro reiterated that the executive branch will not meddle in the proceedings, stressing that the trial falls strictly under the jurisdiction of the Senate.
“Hindi po mandato ng ehekutibo—ng Palasyo—ang mag-assess sa nakaraang tatlong araw na hearing sa impeachment involving the Vice President,” Castro said when pressed for Malacañang’s position.
She emphasized that the public plays a crucial role in witnessing the historic event.
“Ito po ay trabaho po ng mga [nasa] Senado; at definitely, ang mga taumbayan din po ay dapat din po sigurong mag-monitor para ma-assess din po nila sa sarili nila kung ano ang nagaganap sa ating bayan,” she added.
Castro also shared the President’s perspective on how the trial is being handled.
“Ang hiling naman po ng Pangulo sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay sundin ang batas at ang proseso. Sa nakikita po at nababasa rin po natin, naipapakita naman na nagiging maayos po ang daloy ng hearing sa Senado.”
The initial stretch of the trial ran from Monday, July 6, to Wednesday, July 8. While Vice President Duterte skipped the actual hearings, she made a brief stop at the Senate on Tuesday, July 7, to show solidarity with her lawyers.
By Wednesday, she had traveled to Surigao del Sur to attend local festivities, including the 18th Araw ng Bigaan and the 65th Patronal Fiesta of the Mother of Perpetual Help.