2 months ago
38
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will not oppose attempts to file another impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, a reversal of his earlier stance against it.
Earlier this month, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio revealed that members of civil society and complainants in the four consolidated complaints against Duterte are eyeing another impeachment bid against her after the one-year ban lapses.
Tinio said the new impeachment complaint may include the allegations of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed that he was Duterte’s “bag man” and that drug lords and Philippine offshore gaming operators had financed her campaign for the vice presidency in 2022.
Speaking during a Palace press briefing yesterday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos wants the impeachment effort against Duterte to be treated like the probe into the flood control mess. She said she sought the President’s reaction on the matter last week.
“That means those who should be accountable should be made to account,” the Palace press officer said.
Pressed whether Marcos would not stop the filing of another impeachment complaint against Duterte, Castro replied: “He (Marcos) will respect the process. If that process requires the filing (of complaint) based on evidence, the President will respect the process.”
Marcos previously opposed moves to impeach Duterte, his political ally-turned-arch critic, saying it is time-consuming and would not make any difference in the lives of Filipinos.
“This is not important. This does not make any difference to even one single Filipino life. So why waste time on this?” he told reporters in an interview in Quezon province in November 2024.
“What will happen if somebody files an impeachment? It will tie down the House, it will tie down the Senate. It will just take up all our time and for what? For nothing, for nothing. None of this will help improve a single Filipino life. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a storm in a teacup,” he added.
Despite Marcos’ stance, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February last year over the alleged conspiracy to assassinate the President, First Lady Liza Marcos and then House speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as her supposed failure to properly account for the confidential funds allocated to her office, among other accusations.
The Vice President has denied all allegations and has challenged the legality of her impeachment before the Supreme Court.
Last July, the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the impeachment complaint against Duterte, although it did not absolve her from the allegations against her.
According to the high court, the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President had violated the rule that states that no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a year. Any subsequent impeachment complaint against her may only be filed starting Feb. 6 this year. Various groups have filed petitions asking the high court to reverse its ruling on the matter.
Asked what prompted the change in Marcos’ stance on the impeachment against Duterte, Castro said: “Perhaps the extent of the issue was not seen previously.”
Palace: Marcos did not steal
At the same press briefing, Castro said Marcos is prepared to face all accusations, following reports that some Duterte supporters are planning to file an impeachment complaint against him.
“The President is ready at all times because he respects the Constitution. He respects the processes,” the Palace press officer said.
Castro also refuted claims that Marcos had betrayed public trust by signing the 2026 budget, an outlay that has been questioned for containing unprogrammed appropriations.
“First, the President did not steal money. Second, he ordered the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects and other possible causes of corruption. Third, he does not have a ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’” Castro said, alluding to a beneficiary of Duterte’s confidential funds that some lawmakers found suspicious.
Castro advised Duterte’s allies who are seeking to impeach Marcos to help their “idol” answer the allegations against her. She also expressed confidence that the President continues to enjoy the trust of members of the House of Representatives, the chamber from which impeachment complaints emanate.
“The President protected our funds so we know where the good lawmakers will stand. They will side with the good one, not the corrupt,” Castro added.
‘Impeachment must be constitutional’
Following rumors of an impeachment complaint against the President, a senior administration lawmaker said that any attempt to unseat the Chief Executive must be grounded in the Constitution rather than speculation and politically driven narratives.
“At the end of the day, the House has a duty to act with sobriety, fairness and respect for our institutions. We must always put the stability of governance and the interest of the Filipino people above politics,” Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.
“Until there is an actual document to examine, it would be more prudent and responsible to withhold any comment rather than speculate on hearsay or reports,” he added. — Delon Porcalla
