Marcos ready for any impeachment raps against him, Palace says

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is ready to face any impeachment complaint against him, Malacañang said on Monday. 

This was according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a press briefing.

Castro emphasized that the President respects due process in the country as well as the 1987 Constitution. She also maintained that the President never stole public funds and he even initiated the investigation into flood control anomalies to run after corrupt individuals.

''Ang Pangulo naman handa naman po sa lahat ng pagkakataon dahil siya po ay gumagalang sa Konstitusyon, gumagalang po siya sa proseso,'' Castro said. 

(The President is ready at any time because he respects the Constitution and the process.)

''Pero kung pag-uusapan po natin ay breach of public trust dahil nabanggit ito tungkol sa diumanong pagpirma sa GAA, ang Pangulo po, unang-una, hindi po siya nagnakaw ng pera. Pangalawa, siya po ang nagpapaimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects at maaaring naging sanhi ng korapsiyon. Pangatlo, wala po siyang 'Mary Grace Piattos,''' she added.

(But if we are talking about breach of public trust because his signing on the General Appropriations Act was mentioned, the President, first of all, did not steal money. Second, he was the one who ordered an investigation into anomalous flood control projects and corruption. Third, he has no 'Mary Grace Piattos'.)

“Mary Grace Piattos” was the name and signature that appeared the most in acknowledgement receipts for confidential funds of offices under Vice President Sara Duterte.

Earlier, Castro shrugged off a supposed plan to file an impeachment complaint against Marcos, saying such a move would be “political maneuvering.” 

“We have seen this statement made by a lawmaker. At this point, these are unsubstantiated statements allegedly coming from the supporters of a certain politician. The President remains committed to leading and producing results for the Filipino people,” Castro had said. 

In an interview on Unang Balita on Monday, Castro also said the supposed plan to file an impeachment complaint has no basis.

"Ito ay walang basehan, mga sinasabi-sabi lamang (It has no basis, it's just talk)," she said.

It was House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice who revealed that Marcos may face an impeachment complaint.

The lawmaker said that there were individuals who reached out to him to endorse an impeachment complaint against the President due to betrayal of public trust. 

These individuals are supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Erice.

Castro said supporters of the Vice President should help her instead of pushing for an impeachment complaint against the President. An impeachment complaint should not be used for publicity nor to sow fear, she added. 

''So, sa mga supporters po ng Bise Presidente na nagnanais po na magsampa ng impeachment complaint, mas maganda po siguro bago magturo at tumingin sa iba, tulungan muna nila ang idolo nila. Unang-una, dahil ang usapin dito, ang impeachment complaint ay hindi ito pang-media lamang, hindi ito panakot lamang,'' she said.

(So, to the supporters of the Vice President who would like to file an impeachment complaint, maybe it would be better that they help their idol first before pointing at and focusing on others. First, because an impeachment complaint is not just for media or a means to sow fear.)

Amid reports on a possible impeachment complaint, the President is still confident of the support of his allies in Congress, Castro said.

''Sa ngayon, tiwala pa rin po ang Pangulo na mayroon pong pagtitiwala rin sa kaniya ang mga mambabatas dahil hindi naman po gumagawa ng kamalian ang Pangulo,'' she added.

(For now, the President believes that he still has the trust of lawmakers since he does not involve himself in wrongdoings.) —KG, GMA Integrated News