In a recent statement from Malacañang, it was clarified that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not impeding the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte. This was announced during a press conference in Pasay City by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who dismissed allegations from the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives that Marcos was causing delays in the proceedings against Duterte.
Bersamin emphasized that Marcos is not in a position to block the impeachment, as it is solely within the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives. He stated, “He (Marcos) is not blocking. He cannot do that because it is the discretion of the collective of the lower house. If they decide to initiate, there is no way of preventing that.” According to Bersamin, Marcos is only sharing his perspective on the matter and not directing the House to slow down the process.
The House retains the authority to move forward with the impeachment complaints against Duterte. Bersamin noted that under the Constitution, the initiation of impeachment must come from the lower house. He added that any comments Marcos has made are merely his opinions, possibly reflecting his concern that the impeachment could divert attention from the government’s primary objectives.
Bersamin further clarified that the executive branch cannot dictate to the House, which is a co-equal branch of government. He said, “All we were saying, the President was saying to the lower house, this is my position.”
In a separate interview in Burauen, Leyte, on January 17, Marcos expressed that pursuing Duterte’s impeachment at this time would be impractical, especially with mid-term elections approaching. Duterte faces three impeachment complaints in the House, accused of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, plunder, malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
Marcos reiterated in November 2024 that an impeachment complaint against Duterte would distract from the government’s essential work of improving the lives of Filipinos.