Malacañang acknowledged the Philippine Constitution Association’s (PHILCONSA) concerns over the Senate’s returning the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Lower House, but said it has not lost faith in Congress’s ability to resolve internal disagreements.
In a press briefing yesterday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos is even open to facilitating dialogue between the two chambers, if necessary.
“The President is confident that any disagreements will be resolved by the two houses,” she told reporters.
“The President is open to any dialogue to promote cooperation and the stability of democracy in the country,” Castro added.
She also denied the President had any involvement in the Vice President’s recent claims that he was responsible for sending the former President to The Hague.
During a meeting with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuala Lumpur, Duterte made pointed remarks while accompanied by Senator Imee Marcos.
“I am not the one who will bring former President Duterte back to the Philippines because your brother, (referring to President Marcos), sent him to The Hague,” she said, addressing Senator Marcos.
“You are the one who should bring him back,” she added.
Castro emphasized that President Marcos had no involvement in the vice president’s statements nor in any private agreements between her and the presidential sister.
“The President has nothing to do with the contract they entered into, one person who is an abuser and another person who is willing to be abused,” she added.
Castro downplayed the remarks as part of a personal understanding between the vice president and Senator Marcos, stressing that the President remains focused on governance.
On Thursday, PHILCONSA chairman, retired Chief Justice Renato Puno, argued that the Senate’s action poses “grave constitutional questions” and undermines the integrity of the impeachment process.
On the constitutional experts’ dire views about how Senators are handling the impeachment process, Castro said, “The President respects every opinion of a person or group. As the President said yesterday, the real enemy of freedom is apathy.”
However, doubts on Senators’ ability to conduct an impartial impeachment trial is also shared by a member of the House prosecution panel.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua pointed out that at least two senators have openly expressed continued alliance with the Vice President even after taking the oath as judges in her impeachment trial.
In particular, he was referring to Senators Robinhood Padilla and Imee Marcos, who joined Duterte in her trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week to meet with the Filipino community there.
Chua leads the House committee on good government and public accountability, which investigated Duterte on allegations of corruption linked to her unexplained use of confidential funds, among other issues.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) has called on both chambers of Congress to expedite the settlement of constitutional issues that have led to delays in Duterte’s impeachment trial, so that investors will not perceive the Philippines as politically unstable.
In an interview Friday, FPI chairman Jesus Arranza said the business sector rejects political and economic uncertainty, which a drawn-out impeachment process will inevitably bring about.
“The longer it takes to rule on the [impeachment] case, the greater the chances of doubts and vacillation among potential investors, [and] even current investors,” he told Manila Standard.
He noted that there is a risk that those seeking to make new investments or expand their current stake in the Philippine economy will take a wait-and-see stance until such time as their apprehensions about the country’s political future are assuaged.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Palace respects Philconsa view on impeachment, backs legislative dialogue.”
