Malacañang has chosen to remain hands-off regarding the ongoing debate over the required vote threshold in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, taking the stance that the decision ultimately rests with the Senate.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the executive branch will refrain from stepping into the issue or taking a side.
“Sa parte po ng administrasyon, sa parte po ng Pangulo, hindi po kami magbibigay ng anumang opinyon, ng anumang judgment patungkol po diyan (On the part of the administration, on the part of the President, we will not give any opinion or judgment on that),” Castro stated.
She emphasized that the administration respects the independence of the legislative body handling the trial.
“Hahayaan po natin ang Senado na siyang mag-determine kung ano sa palagay nila ang nararapat (We will let the Senate determine what it believes is appropriate),” she added.
The Palace’s position comes after several retired Supreme Court justices offered differing legal opinions on the required voting threshold as the trial continues to unfold in the upper chamber.