MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is not bothered by the numbers of Vice President Sara Duterte's camp in the Senate, as her impeachment trial moves to the upper chamber. While a conviction rests on the number of senator-judges ruling in favor, the Palace asserted that the political strength of Duterte's allies will ultimately face intense public scrutiny surrounding the case.
Castro explained that the Senate's handling of the Vice President's impeachment will be watched closely by the Filipino people, should any irregularities arise from the process.
The Palace maintained its position that Marcos will not interfere in Duterte's impeachment case, in strict adherence to the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. “We know that an impeachment trial is the work and mandate of the Senate. There is no need for the President to interfere in the Senate’s mandate because we have separation of powers,” Castro stated on Monday.
The Senate held its initial proceedings for the Vice President's impeachment case on Monday, while formal pre-trial procedures are expected to begin in the first week of July.
As a new coup tests the chamber's incumbent leadership, the final outcome of the impeachment trial remains unclear.
A conviction would require a consensus of 16 or more senator-judges—a high threshold that continues to be debated among political analysts. Meanwhile, Duterte's allies within the Senate are widely speculated to put up a fight in order to secure an acquittal from the Impeachment Court.
Written by Ashraf Indanan
Ashraf Indanan is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
