Marcos not pushing for Sara Duterte's impeachment trial in Senate —Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is not pushing for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate, Malacañang said Wednesday.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked if the administration is confident in pursuing the impeachment trial of the Vice President given the incoming composition of the Senate after the 2025 midterm polls.

''Wala pong anumang balita patungkol sa pag-pursue ng Pangulo sa impeachment o sa impeachment trial ni VP Sara so iyan po ay ating tinututulan at pinasisinungalingan po,'' Castro clarified.

(There's no news about the President pursuing the impeachment or the impeachment trial of VP Sara so we're belying that.)

''Wala pong sinasabing anumang pagkumpiyansa na para mapatalsik o matanggal sa puwesto ang Bise Presidente,'' she added.

(We did not issue any statement saying that we are confident that the Vice President will be removed from office.)

Marcos and Duterte were runningmates in Eleksyon 2022 but their relationship had gone sour.

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 congressmen endorsing the complaint against her. She was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier released an initial timetable for the procedures related to the impeachment trial of Duterte, setting the tentative start of the trial on July 30.

Based on the provided timeline, the Articles of Impeachment will be presented on June 2 upon the resumption of session. Meanwhile, the convening of the impeachment court and the oath-taking of incumbent senator-judges will be held the following day.

In response, Duterte had filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with urgent application of temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction before the Supreme Court.

Recently, Duterte said she was ready for whatever the result of her impending impeachment trial at the Senate will be.—AOL, GMA Integrated News