VANCOUVER, Canada — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) said it would be better for Vice President Sara Duterte to attend her impeachment trial “to get to the bottom of everything.” Marcos made the statement after the Senate impeachment court summoned Duterte to appear for the start of the trial today, July 6.
Speaking to reporters here, the president said that if he were Duterte, he would insist on attending the proceedings, since it would be “much easier” for her to respond to the allegations against her.
“Well, my only experience in an impeachment trial was when I was senator of the Corona trial. And it’s really up to the accused whether or not they feel the need to appear. I guess the lawyers on the defense side will give their advice. It’s not for me to say one way or the other,” Marcos said.
He added “it would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly. And the accused can answer directly, not through secondary channels, not through the lawyers.” The president clarified that his comments were his own opinion. “I’m just trying to put myself in that position. I would probably, if it was me being accused, I would almost insist over the advice of lawyers, if they advise me not to appear, I would insist on appearing,” he said.
The House of Representatives consolidated several impeachment complaints against Duterte into four articles.
The charges allege misuse and irregular liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s term as education secretary; amassing unexplained wealth and failure to properly disclose assets; bribery and corruption; and threats to kill the president, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
The vice president has denied all allegations, maintaining that they are politically motivated.
If convicted on at least one article, Duterte would lose the vice presidency and could also be permanently disqualified from holding any public office.
If acquitted, Duterte keeps the position and continues serving the remainder of her term.
