Malacañang kept its distance from the impeachment complaints against Sara Duterte, saying it respects the decision of the National Unity Party (NUP) to lean against voting in favor of the case.
“Decision po nila iyan (That’s their decision),” Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked for reaction.
Castro emphasized that the party has the freedom to determine its position on the impeachment complaint against Duterte, who was previously an ally of Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
“May kalayaan po silang mag-decide. Hindi naman po sila sinasaklawan ng ating Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito (They have the freedom to decide. The President and this administration are not imposing on them),” she said.
“Kung ano po iyong desisyon nila, malamang iyon po yung nakikita nilang magiging magandang aksyon para sa kanilang political party (Whatever decision they make is likely what they see as the best course of action for their political party),” Castro added.
Earlier, the NUP said it would most likely not vote in favor of the impeachment complaint, noting that it had not seen “the inclusion of new and material evidence that would warrant a departure from issues that have already been the subject of prior inquiries and extensive public hearings.”
The party, however, said it remains open to assessing any new evidence that may be presented during deliberations.