By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will respect and support whatever course of action the Senate takes in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, provided all proceedings remain within the bounds of the law, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reaffirmed the President’s position after Senator Pia Cayetano remarked that Malacañang appeared “very supportive” of the Senate’s majority bloc during the opening day of the impeachment trial.
Castro dismissed the suggestion that the Palace should intervene by calling a special session of Congress, saying such a move was unnecessary.
“If that’s her suggestion, then perhaps she doesn’t need to ask someone else to do it. Maybe she can do it herself,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
She reiterated that Marcos has consistently maintained a hands-off approach to the impeachment proceedings out of respect for the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“The President supports whatever action the Senate undertakes, provided those actions are lawful. He respects the independence of the Senate and will not interfere in its constitutional functions,” Castro said.
She stressed that the Chief Executive’s support does not extend to actions that violate the law or undermine due process.
Among the actions Marcos would not support, Castro said, are any “lock-and-load” directive or any move that would facilitate the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa should legal issues arise.
“The President does not support actions that are contrary to law,” she emphasized.
The Palace official’s remarks came after Senator Pia Cayetano suggested that Malacañang could convene Congress into a special session if Senate rules governing the impeachment trial needed to be amended.
Her comment followed an exchange between Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero over who should properly preside over the impeachment court.
Alan Peter Cayetano argued that Senate President Win Gatchalian should lead the proceedings in his capacity as Senate chief, while Gatchalian maintained that matters involving Senate Resolution No. 430 should be addressed only when the Senate is sitting as a legislative body—not as an impeachment court.
Responding to the debate, Senator Pia Cayetano remarked that Malacañang appeared willing to support the Senate majority if a special session became necessary, while maintaining that procedural amendments could instead be resolved by the impeachment court itself.
The Palace, however, maintained that the President would continue to respect the Senate’s independence and would support only those actions that comply with the Constitution and existing laws.
ia/xf
