Malacañang has rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. controls the Senate, courts, prosecutors, judges and police, saying government institutions are acting within their respective mandates.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement on Friday, September 18, after Duterte accused Marcos of controlling key government institutions while discussing the impeachment and criminal cases she is facing.
Castro said Duterte’s accusations had no basis and criticized the Vice President for allegedly focusing on attacks against government institutions instead of addressing issues affecting Filipinos.
“Ang paninirang ito ay walang basehan — kundi galing lang sa madumi at maitim na isipan ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte,” Castro said.
Duterte made the allegations on September 7, shortly after posting bail in connection with three counts of grave threats and while her impeachment trial before the Senate was ongoing.
In a statement, Duterte said she did not want her supporters to feel pressured by the cases against her, claiming that “Marcos controls the senators, prosecutors, judges and police,” while stressing that she had lawyers assisting her in defending the cases.
Castro also questioned Duterte’s alleged lack of involvement in efforts to address concerns such as flooding and rising prices, saying the Vice President had instead spent her time criticizing government agencies.
“Imbes na magtrabaho ang Bise Presidente para sa ikagiginhawa ng taumbayan, nauubos ang oras niya sa mga ganitong klase ng paninira sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, pati na sa Senado, sa Korte, at sa kapulisan,” she said.
She further challenged Duterte’s earlier statement that she was ready to become president.
“Handa na raw siyang maging Pangulo — o handa na siyang maging panggulo?” Castro said.
The Palace official also accused Duterte of trying to undermine public confidence in government authorities and portray herself as being persecuted, while maintaining that the cases against her were not fabricated.
“Isa itong desperadong galawan ng Bise Presidente para sirain ang integridad ng mga otoridad at ipalabas na siya ang api at ginigipit, samantalang ang lahat ng usapin ay kagagawan niya mismo,” she said.
Malacañang has previously maintained that the courts and other government institutions have separate mandates. Castro also said earlier this month that the Supreme Court could, on its own initiative, look into Duterte’s remarks expressing distrust in the courts and police.
Duterte’s statements came amid the legal proceedings stemming from her November 2024 remarks involving Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court subsequently issued a warrant for her arrest on three counts of grave threats. Malacañang said it respected the court’s decision.
Duterte posted ₱360,000 bail, or ₱120,000 for each count, after the warrant was issued. Her alleged threats against Marcos also form part of the issues raised in her ongoing impeachment proceedings before the Senate.
The latest exchange comes as the impeachment trial continues, with Malacañang maintaining that the Senate has authority over matters concerning the proceedings.