MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang on said on Wednesday that it was Vice President Sara Duterte's decision on whether or not she would resign but branded her call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do so a "big joke."
Duterte on Tuesday said she would never resign despite the mounting evidence she faced over alleged unexplained wealth in her impeachment trial before the Senate.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Duterte "has no right to demand the President's resignation."
"The President is working. The President thinks about the welfare of the country and the welfare of the people," Castro said in a press briefing.
"He is not entering into any secret deals with foreigners to betray the interests of our fellow citizens," the Palace press officer said in Filipino.
"So, if she chooses not to resign, that is her decision. No one is interfering with that. But her demanding that the President resign is a big joke," Castro said.
The prosecution on Tuesday dropped the charges of bribery, grave threats and misuse of confidential funds against the vice president, claiming that the remaining charge of unexplained wealth was enough to convict hear.
