Malacañang advised Vice President Sara Duterte to present her side before the impeachment court instead of responding through public statements regarding the impeachment case filed against her.
The Palace issued the statement after Duterte responded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remark that it would be better for the vice president to personally appear before the impeachment court to explain her position on the case.
In her statement, Duterte said the president’s opinion carries no weight in the impeachment proceedings. She maintained that the Constitution and due process should govern the proceedings.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte should follow her own appeal by explaining her side before the impeachment court.
Castro added that public statements directed against the president would not help clear Duterte’s name if they are made outside the impeachment proceedings.
According to the Palace, the proper venue for Duterte to respond to the allegations is the impeachment court, where the case will be heard under constitutional procedures.
The exchange came after Marcos publicly said that Duterte should personally appear before the impeachment court to explain her side of the issue.
Duterte, however, insisted that the impeachment process should be guided solely by the Constitution and due process rather than by the president’s views.
Malacañang reiterated that presenting arguments before the impeachment court, rather than through public remarks, is the appropriate course of action for the vice president.
The Palace also maintained that statements made outside the impeachment proceedings would not contribute to resolving the issues raised in the impeachment case.
No additional details regarding the impeachment proceedings were discussed in the statements released by both sides.
