“[T]he President has nothing to do with it.”
This was the statement of Malacañang regarding the first impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that the impeachment complaint was initiated by private citizens who filed the complaint at the House of Representatives on Monday.
“The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement is the prerogative of any Member of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin said.
“The Office of the President has nothing to do with it,” the Palace official stressed.
Bersamin further stated that “the President’s earlier statement on the matter is unambiguous.”
In a text message leaked on Nov. 28, Marcos asked lawmakers to refrain from filing an impeachment complaint against the Vice President, saying “this is not important.”
The President confirmed that it was supposed to be a private message, but got leaked. He further said filing an impeachment rap against his former ally “does not make a difference to even one single Filipino life. So why waste time on it.”
Various civil society groups, including victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte at the House of Representatives on Dec.2. (Betheena Unite)