Palace: Marcos won't intervene in 'debates' on Sara impeachment trial

Malacañang on Wednesday maintained that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. would not intervene in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The statement was issued following debates on whether the trial can cross over into the 20th Congress.

''Unang-una po sinabi naman po ng Pangulo na ito po ay nasa kamay na po ng Senado at hindi po makikialam ang Pangulo kung ano man po ang nangyayaring pagdedebate sa Senado, may kanya-kanya pong ideya dito," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said during a press briefing.

"May nagsasabi po, mga eksperto rin, na maaari pong tumulay o tumawid sa 20th Congress dahil ayon na rin po sa isang Supreme Court decision, ang Senado po ay itinuturing na isang continuing body so hindi naman po siguro ito idedescribe o ichacharacterize na continuing body kung parang nacoconsider siya na na-terminate na o nagexpire na tulad ng House of Representatives,'' she said.

(First of all, the President already said that the impeachment is already in the hands of the Senate and the President will not intervene on the debates. There were varying ideas and some statements from experts that this can cross over into the 20th Congress because according to a Supreme Court decision, the Senate is a continuing body so it can't be characterized as a continuing body if it is being considered as ''terminated'' such as the House of Representatives.)

Castro said the President would not do anything about it since the matter is already in the hands of the Senate.

She added that Marcos only wants due process to be observed and followed in all matters, including the impeachment trial.

''Wala po siyang anumang gagawin patungkol dito dahil lahat po ng mangyayari ay nasa Senado na po. Ang gusto lamang po niya... para sa kalahatan, hindi lamang po para sa impeachment, dapat lang po manatili ang due process. Manatili ang proseso,'' Castro said.

(He won't do anything about this because everything that will happen depends on the Senate. He only wants due process to be observed.)

Asked about the supposed resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Duterte, Castro said whether the trial would push through or not is no longer in the hands of the President.

''Kung matuloy po o di matuloy ang impeachment, mukhang hindi na po iyan sakop ng ating Pangulo. Ang gusto lamang naming iparating, sana po ay huwag ipahid sa Pangulo kung ano man po ang magiging desisyon ng Senado diyan,'' Castro said.

(If the impeachment pushes through or not, I think the President doesn't cover that. Let's not connect the President on whatever the decision of the Senate will be.)

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero has already denied that an alleged Senate resolution dismissing the impeachment case against Duterte was lodged in the upper chamber.

The document which is currently circulating on social media is allegedly seeking the declaration of Duterte's impeachment case as "de facto" dismissed "by operation of the 1987 Constitution."

Meanwhile, Castro was also asked about the remark made by Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel that Marcos seems to be sending signals that he is against the impeachment trial of the Vice President. 

Castro expressed hope that Manuel would give respect to the President by not making and creating such intrigues.

''Alam naman natin kung sino ang marunong at eksperto sa paggawa ng intriga at pag-planta ng ebidensiya, so huwag niya na po sanang gayahin ito. Kumbaga sa pelikula kokopyahin ko lang, pero babaguhin ko nang kaunti, do not be like a second rate trying hard copycat,'' Castro said.

(We know who's the expert in making intrigues and planting of evidence so I hope he won't imitate this. Just like what's said in a film, I'll tweak it a little, 'do not be like a second rate trying hard copycat.) 

The House impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate the same day but the Upper Chamber adjourned without addressing the case.

On February 25, Escudero said the processes related to Duterte's impeachment trial would start on June 2.

However, Escudero on May 29 said the presentation of the articles of impeachment before the Senate was moved to June 11 to prioritize the passage of the items in the administration's legislative agenda before the end of 19th Congress.

Escudero said that based on the law, Duterte will be given 10 days or up to June 21 to respond, which could be extended upon her request.

The 19th Congress is set to end on June 30. — BAP/RSJ, GMA Integrated News