MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not stand in the way of any new impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Malacañang said on Wednesday, stressing that any such move must be allowed to take its course under the Constitution and existing legal processes.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President was reacting to reports that the Makabayan bloc may file another impeachment complaint once the one-year constitutional ban lapses on February 6.
“Ang sabi niya, iti-treat natin ang anumang impeachment complaint laban kay VP Sara katulad ng pag-treat sa pag-di-discuss at pag-iimbestiga sa flood control projects,” Castro said in a television interview.
Castro emphasized that the President’s position is anchored on accountability based on evidence and due process, not political pressure.
“Kung sino ang dapat na managot, dapat na managot. ‘Yun po ang sabi ng pangulo,” she said. “Kung may ebidensya po sila at gusto nilang managot ang dapat na managot, maaari po nilang gawin ‘yan, at hindi po hahadlang ang pangulo diyan.”
She added that Marcos will not attempt to influence Congress and will respect whatever outcome results from lawful proceedings.
“Hindi po magla-lobby ang pangulo dito. Hahayaan po nilang gumulong kung ano ang dapat na proseso at kung anong kasasapitan po nito na naaayon sa batas at proseso, susuportahan po ‘yun ng pangulo,” Castro said.
When asked whether a renewed impeachment effort would prosper, Castro said the issue rests squarely with lawmakers.
“Sila po ang gumawa ng kanilang complaint kung ito po ay matibay at sabi naman po nila ay magiging matibay po ito so kung ano na lang po ang maibibigay nilang ebidensya at kung ito ay gugulong tingnan na lang po natin dahil may mga ibang senador na hindi pa po nababasa ang impeachment complaint eh gusto nilang i-dismiss agad ang kaso,” she added.
Earlier, Sen. Imee Marcos said she expects another impeachment complaint to be filed against the Vice President, noting that alleged allocations in the proposed 2026 national budget could be used to gather support for such a move.
Duterte-Carpio, for her part, has previously claimed that impeachment threats could be used as a “bargaining chip” by legislators ahead of deliberations on the 2026 national budget./PN
