Malacañang reiterated its commitment to the rule of law on Monday, May 25, firmly stating that the executive branch will refrain from interfering in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is set to commence on July 6.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the administration would avoid any “prejudgment” regarding the proceedings, leaving the final verdict entirely to the senator-judges.
”Ang Malacañang, ang Palasyo at ang Pangulo ay hindi po magbibigay ng anumang prejudgment. Ang mga ebidensiya ay dapat na maisiwalat nang buo kapag nagkaroon na po ng impeachment trial (Malacañang, the Palace, and the President will not provide any prejudgment. The evidence must be fully disclosed once the impeachment trial begins),” Castro stated.
She added that the responsibility to evaluate the merits of the accusations rests solely with the Senate.
”At tao na po ang manghuhusga, maliban po, of course, sa mga senator judges, sila na po ang manghuhusga kung ano po ang nilalaman ng mga ebidensiya at kung dapat bang managot ang isang bise presidente sa mga akusasyong ibinabato sa kaniya (And it is the people who will judge, except, of course, for the senator-judges; they will judge what the evidence contains and whether a Vice President should be held accountable for the accusations thrown at her),” she noted.
Addressing broader anti-corruption efforts, Castro maintained that the President remains committed to accountability regardless of political affiliations.
Regarding the National Bureau of Investigation’s reports on potential additional arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) linked to the previous administration’s war on drugs, the Palace maintained its stance on international obligations.
”Ang pagsasabi po ng maaaring magkaroon pa ng pag-isyu ng warrants of arrest ay expected ito dahil marami pa pong mga co-perpetrators (Saying that there could be more warrants of arrest issued is expected because there are many more co-perpetrators),” Castro explained.
When asked about the potential for further ICC-related arrests of sitting lawmakers, Castro stated that the government would defer to Department of Justice mandates and existing legal rules to ensure that any law enforcement operations remain orderly.
Regarding the standing warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, she emphasized that the legal process serves a dual purpose.
”So, ang pagpapadala sa kaniya sa ICC ay para mabigyan ng hustisya, both sides, ang mga akusado at ang mga biktima diumano (So, sending him to the ICC is to provide justice for both sides, the accused and the alleged victims),” she concluded.