Amid impeachment rap vs Bongbong, Palace says Sandro must stick to his mandate

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will not intervene in the process of the impeachment complaint filed against him even with his son, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, in Congress. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the President wants his son to do his job as he wants to follow what is stated under the rules of law. 

“Kahit ito ay kanyang ama, gampanan niya po ang kanyang trabaho. ‘Yan din naman po ang gusto ng Pangulo, kung ano ang naaayon sa batas, hindi po makikialam ang Pangulo. Gampanan po niya ang kanyang trabaho,” Castro said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB. 

(Even if it was his father who was involved, he must do his job. That's what the President wants. Whatever is stated under the law, the President will not intervene. He must do his job.)

The younger Marcos chairs the House of Representatives’ Committee on Rules, which handles all matters relating to the Rules of the House, Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings, Order of Business, Calendar of Business, the referral of bills, resolutions, speeches, committee reports, messages, memorials and petitions, as well as the creation of committees and their jurisdiction.

In any situation, allies, friends, and even relatives will not be spared, according to Castro. 

''Katulad ng sinabi natin kahit sa anong sitwasyon, wala pong kaalyado. Walang kamag-anak, walang kaibigan. Kung ano po ang dapat na gawin ni Congressman Sandro, dapat niya pong tuparin ang isinasaad ng batas at kung ano kanyang mandato,'' Castro said.

(Just like what we said, in any situation, allies, relatives, and friends will not be spared. Whatever Congressman Sandro needs to do, he must do his mandate.)

On Monday, an impeachment complaint against the President was filed with the House of Representatives. 

It was filed by Atty. Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Representative Jett Nisay. The grounds cited by complainant De Jesus were graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.

De Jesus said Marcos had supposedly violated the 1987 Constitution and betrayed public trust by surrendering his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He also said Marcos is unfit to serve as president due to his alleged drug addiction, which impairs his judgment, erodes discipline, and undermines moral authority.

De Jesus also claimed that Marcos engaged in graft and corruption through kickbacks and ghost projects.

Malacañang had said the impeachment complaint lodged against the Chief Executive is part of the country's democratic process. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News