‘I choose not to interfere in VP trial’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is focused on attending to the needs of the country and the Filipino people and has no intention to intervene in how Congress handles the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In the latest episode of his podcast aired on Saturday, Mr. Marcos responded to a comment that the

President has a “say” on whatever the decision would be on Duterte’s impeachment case.

“They say the President always has a say in these decisions. Perhaps, if the president chooses to do that. But I choose not to,” he said.

“I’m busy with the transport, with the rice — all of the different things that we are doing. I have no role in the impeachment anyway,” he added.

He said the process belongs entirely to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“All impeachment processes are within the legislature…To put it bluntly, I have no role in the impeachment,” he said.

The impeachment complaint, endorsed by 215 members of the House in February, accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

‘Significant, tangible changes for the better’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is focused on bringing “significant and tangible” changes to the country in his last three years in office.

In the latest episode of his podcast aired on Saturday, Mr. Marcos said giving Filipinos a more comfortable life is the legacy he wants to leave behind when his term ends in 2028.

“We’ve made a change for the better. This has been my guide in all the positions I’ve taken,” he said.

“So, I absolutely insist that in 2028 when I leave this office, there are significant and tangible changes for the better and the life of a Filipino,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos said he is eyeing a quarterly assessment of government performance as part of his efforts to recalibrate his administration.

He earlier announced a “more rigorous” performance review extending beyond the Cabinet level.

The ongoing performance evaluation covers not just Cabinet secretaries and government heads but also the government undersecretaries.

Marcos said he would not hesitate to let go of incompetent government officials.

“The worst thing that can happen is if you took the position, served, and left [but] nothing has changed,” he added.

‘Don’t mess with our fishermen or else…’

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. warned against making even the slightest concession in maritime disputes, adding the Philippines must stand firm in protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“Like they say–you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. So, you cannot allow even one inch,” Mr. Marcos said, underscoring the importance of a consistent and resolute policy in asserting the country’s territorial claims.

“We’re not picking a fight. But don’t mess with our fishermen. Don’t block us in our territory. We will really fight for that,” the commander-in-chief added.

The President’s remarks came in response to Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela’s call for future leaders to sustain the current administration’s approach to the maritime issue.

“We did not yield. We continue to protect the sovereignty of the Republic. We continue to defend the territory of the Republic, and we continue to protect and defend the people of the Republic,” Mr. Marcos said.

The Marcos administration has repeatedly asserted the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea, maintaining that international law, particularly the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring Manila, must be upheld amid continued incursions by foreign vessels.

Earlier, the President reiterated his call for the urgent adoption of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, warning that geopolitical tensions over maritime claims threaten stability and progress across Southeast Asia.

Speaking at the plenary of the ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia last month, Mr. Marcos underscored the need for a formal agreement to protect the maritime rights of regional states.

“We underscore the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea,” President Marcos told fellow ASEAN leaders.

The South China Sea, a vital global shipping route, has long been a flashpoint between China and several ASEAN member states —the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei — all of which have overlapping territorial claims. While talks between ASEAN and China have been ongoing for years, a binding code has yet to materialize.