President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Sunday that if he were the one facing an impeachment trial, he would choose to attend the proceedings, explain his side, and directly answer the allegations against him.
Speaking during a media interview in Canada before his return to the Philippines, Marcos said the decision ultimately rests with Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing impeachment over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery of Department of Education officials, and grave threats against Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Senate impeachment court has summoned Duterte to appear at the start of the trial on July 6, either personally or through her counsel.
“It would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you could speak to the accused directly. And the accused can answer directly, not through secondary channels, not through the lawyers,” the President said.
“Kung diretso makasagot, siyempre magiging maliwanag ang proseso, madali ang proseso. But that’s just my own opinion, and that’s not a legal opinion because I’m not a lawyer (If I can answer directly, of course the process will be clear, the process will be easy. But that’s just my own opinion and that’s not a legal opinion because I’m not a lawyer),” Marcos also said.
Marcos said that if he were in the position of the accused, he would insist on appearing at the trial, even if his lawyers advised against it, saying he would be confident he could answer the allegations.
The President, however, stressed that “it’s really up to the accused whether or not they feel the need to appear”.
Duterte initially denied the allegations against her, calling them baseless.
Her lawyer, Michael Poa, earlier said Duterte may appear at the trial if her defense team considers it necessary and advises her to do so.
Poa also said Duterte’s lawyers would participate in the impeachment process and address the allegations on her behalf.