MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will refrain from intervening in the impeachment proceedings concerning Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio before the House of Representatives.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin underscored that the initiation and handling of impeachment complaints fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the House.
Bersamin further noted that the Chief Executive acknowledges the authority of Congress as a co-equal branch of government.
“The power to initiate and act on impeachment complaints is the sole prerogative of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin said.
“Out of respect for institutions, the President will not interfere in a matter over which a co-equal branch has exclusive jurisdiction,” he added.
Previously, Marcos had advised lawmakers against pursuing the impeachment of Duterte-Carpio, arguing that such actions would be counterproductive and merely a waste of time.
Duterte-Carpio is currently facing three impeachment complaints related to alleged misconduct and the misappropriation of millions in government funds during her tenure as education secretary.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Monday that they will finally act on the three impeachment complaints against Duterte-Carpio after another group’s failure to file a supposed fourth impeachment case.
Several lawmakers, including those who endorsed the impeachment complaints, have started to protest the House’s supposed “inaction” on their cases against the Vice President.
Last December 2024, Duterte-Carpio said she welcomed the filing of impeachment complaints against her because only she is the subject of the supposed attacks and do not include her former and current colleagues at the OVP and DepEd.
The Vice President added that the impeachment hearing would also provide her the opportunity to finally answer allegations against her./PN
