President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured the public he had no “role” in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte amid overwhelming support from allies in signing the complaint.
“The executive cannot have a hand in the impeachment. The executive has no role in impeachment,” Mr. Marcos said in a Malacañang press briefing.
“Did we discuss it with the Speaker, did we discuss it with other congressmen? Of course. But the House is simply following the procedure, and they have transmitted the complaint to the upper chamber,” he added.
The President said lawmakers have no option but to move forward with the impeachment process, following the House of Representatives decision to transmit the complaint to the Senate.
“Once the impeachment complaints were filed, the House and the Senate, they have no choice. Their hands are tied,” Marcos said.
Asked about his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos being the first to sign the endorsement, the President said he had advised him to “do his duty” and support the process.
“The process has already begun… Once it has been filed, there is a procedure that needs to be followed. It’s your duty now to support that process,” Marcos said.
He previously dissuaded lawmakers from pursuing an impeachment complaint, citing the need to focus on other national priorities.
“When I first said that, no one had filed an impeachment yet, I was hoping I could convince everyone not to proceed with it for now,” Marcos said.
“If they truly believe it must be done, I was asking them to at least wait because we still have a lot to accomplish,” he added.