President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. weighed in on his vice president’s impeachment on Saturday, saying he personally would choose to face such proceedings rather than avoid them. His remarks came shortly after the Senate impeachment court ordered Sara Duterte to present herself for the trial’s opening on July 6.
Drawing on his own history in the chamber, Marcos noted that his sole exposure to a trial of this kind came during his time as senator, when the Corona case was heard. He framed the decision to appear as one belonging entirely to the person being tried. “It’s really up to the accused whether or not they feel the need to appear. I guess the lawyers on the defense side will give their advice. It’s not for me to say one way or the other,” he said, describing the Corona proceedings as his only reference point.
Even so, the president made clear where he would land if the choice were his. “I’m just trying to put myself in that position. I would probably, if it was me being accused, I would almost insist over the advice of lawyers, if they advise me not to appear, I would insist on appearing,” he told reporters. He reasoned that direct testimony carries advantages the defense cannot replicate, saying “it would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly. And the accused can answer directly, not through secondary channels, not through the lawyers.” Marcos stressed these were his own views alone.
Duterte has rejected every accusation lodged against her, describing the entire effort as driven by politics.
The case reaching the Senate began in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers folded multiple complaints into four articles of impeachment. Among the accusations are the mishandling and questionable liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds tied to both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte led as secretary; the accumulation of wealth she has not accounted for alongside faulty asset disclosures; bribery and corruption; and alleged threats against the life of Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
The outcome carries sharply divergent consequences. Should the court find her guilty on even a single article, Duterte would be stripped of the vice presidency and could face a lifetime bar from public office. A verdict in her favor would leave her in the post to finish out her term.
