MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said Vice President Sara Duterte should bring her explanations before the impeachment court instead of issuing public statements.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the statement in reaction to Duterte’s remarks that the opinion of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that it “would be easier” for his former ally to appear before the Senate impeachment court and address the allegations hurled against her “is of no importance” and that public officials such as the chief executive are “best served by keeping their personal opinions to themselves”.
Castro clapped back by asserting that Duterte should put her own position into practice by presenting her defense before the impeachment court rather than engaging in exchanges through statements issued outside the proceedings.
“VP Sara should practice what she preaches now. She should simply present her side and make her statements before the impeachment court,” she said in Filipino in a statement.
“Any statement she makes against the president—or regarding the president's pronouncements—outside of court will not help clear her name,” she added.
The vice president was a no-show at the first day of the trial and appeared through her lawyers.
