Malacañang on Tuesday emphasized that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte must follow the standard processes of accountability, asserting that legal proceedings are necessary to establish the truth.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that while the Executive is not explicitly endorsing the trial, President Bongbong Marcos maintains a firm stance that all public officials must be held answerable for their actions.
“Ayaw kong sabihin na the Palace is for the holding of the trial. Ganito po ang gagawin natin: Alam po natin since the time na nagpaumpisa ang Pangulong magpaimbestiga sa flood control mess, ang sabi niya: managot ang lahat ng managot.”
Castro further noted that the Vice President’s case should not be treated as an outlier in the administration’s broader push for transparency.
“So, hindi naman po puwedeng maging exemption or ma-exempt itong impeachment trial dahil kung may dapat na mapanagot ay dapat na managot.”
The Palace spokesperson maintained that the goal is to allow due process to unfold without immediate judgment.
She highlighted that the House of Representatives’ decision to impeach Duterte for a second time—with a decisive 257 affirmative votes on May 11—was based on the evidence presented to the chamber.
“Nagdesisyon po ang House of Representatives at nakita malamang nila ang mga ebidensiya – sabi nga nila ay mas dumami pa ang sumang-ayon na ma-impeach sa pangalawang pagkakataon ang Bise Presidente at ito marahil ay ayon sa mga nakita nila na mga documents or mga ebidensiya na maaaring maging dahilan para ma-impeach ang Bise Presidente.”
As the process moves to the upper house, the Palace expressed hope that the proceedings would remain impartial for the sake of the public interest.
“At sana kapag ito ay napunta na rin sa Senado ay maging patas ang mga manghuhusga, ang mga Senador natin; para ito naman sa taumbayan.”