Marcos' impeachable offense? Sara Duterte says signing 2025 budget

For Vice President Sara Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of the 2025 national budget is an impeachable offense.

She issued the remark when sought for comment on the Palace’s statement that the President did not commit any impeachable offense.

“Para sa akin, personal ko na opinyon. Ako, di ba, ang nagsabi pinakauna na impeachable offense ‘yung pagpirma ng budget na alam mong galing siya sa bill na may mga blangko at merong mga insertions,” she said.

(For me, based on my personal opinion. As I said before, his signing of a budget that comes from a bill that has blanks and insertions is an impeachable offense.)

In December 2024, Marcos signed into law the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025. Following the controversy on anomalous flood control projects, several people were accused of budget insertions.

Marcos has denied allegations linking him to the scheme.

“At syempre, impeachable offense din ‘yung humihindi ang isang opisyal kapag merong nagtatanong ng competency niya na mamuno at may nagsasabi na gumagamit siya ng illegal na droga,” Duterte said.

(Of course, it is also an impeachable offense for an official whose competency is being questioned and accused of using illegal drugs to refuse checks.)

Duterte said that she would not refuse if her fitness was challenged.

“Kasi nag-oath ako, eh. At sinasabi ko doon, I will preserve and defend the Constitution. Paano mo ma-preserve and defend ang Constitution, ang Saligang Batas, kung wala ka sa tamang pag-iisip?” she said.

(Because I took an oath. And I said, I will preserve and defend the Constitution. How can I defend the Constitution if I am not in my right mind.)

Meanwhile, Duterte slammed Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro over her response to Duterte’s claim that senators who are seemingly supportive of her are being harassed by the administration.

Duterte said that Castro is bringing shame to the country.

“At syempre kapag ganun ‘yung nagsasalita at ganun ang sinasabi ng nagsasalita nagdadala siya ng kahihiyan sa bayan ng natin. Kaya dapat hindi na siya pinapakinggan at pinapansin,” she said.

(And of course when someone speaks like that and says those things, they bring shame to our country. That is why they should no longer be listened to or given attention.)

GMA News Online reached to Malacañang for comment and will publish it once available. —AOL, GMA Integrated News