President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. admitted on Thursday that his son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, sought his advice regarding the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a Palace briefing, Marcos shared that his son asked for his opinion on what to do, especially as lawmakers were set to sign the impeachment complaint.
He explained to his son that the process had already started and needed to run its course, much like a proposed law that undergoes careful deliberation.
"Ang sabi ko sa kaniya, 'the process has already begun. So, it's your duty now to support that process. So do your duty.' That's what I told him," said Marcos.
"You are Constitutionally mandated to carry out that process and you are a Congressman so do your duty," he added.
However, Marcos clarified that he was unaware his son would be the first to sign the impeachment complaint.
It is noteworthy that his son was the first to sign the impeachment complaint, despite his earlier statements opposing any move to impeach Vice President Duterte.
Meanwhile, Marcos emphasized that he has no hand in the impeachment against Duterte, reiterating that the Executive branch cannot intervene in the said matter.
With 215 lawmakers in favor, the House of Representatives approved the impeachment complaints on Wednesday, exceeding the 102-vote threshold to move the case to the Senate.
Following this, the Senate will proceed with a trial to rule on Duterte’s possible removal from office.
However, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero stated that no legal impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will be held during the lower chamber's session break.
