Malacañang on Tuesday expressed hope that senators will exercise fairness and uphold their constitutional duty if the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte reaches the Senate for trial.
The Palace said the Senate, once convened as an impeachment court, must ensure that proceedings are conducted fairly and in the interest of the public.
“Sana kapag ito ay napunta na rin sa Senado ay maging patas ang mga manghuhusga, ang mga senador natin para ito naman ay sa taumbayan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a briefing.
The statement came after 257 members of the House of Representatives voted to impeach Duterte following the approval by the House Committee on Justice of a report finding probable cause to proceed with the case.
The committee cited allegations involving culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption, and other high crimes.
Asked whether Malacañang supports the impeachment trial moving forward in the Senate, Castro said the administration’s position has remained consistent: public officials facing allegations must undergo proper legal proceedings and be held accountable when warranted.
She cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier directive to investigate the flood control controversy, saying the President had emphasized that those responsible should answer for any wrongdoing.
“Since the time the President began the investigation into the flood control mess, he said everyone who is responsible should be held accountable,” Castro said in Filipino.
She added that the impeachment proceedings should likewise be allowed to take their legal course if there are allegations requiring formal hearings and examination of evidence.
At the same time, Castro emphasized that the process should not be used to prejudge anyone, stressing that hearings are meant to establish facts and allow all sides to be heard.
“In general, when there are accusations, there should be a hearing to find out the truth, not to immediately judge anyone,” she said.
The impeachment complaint is expected to move to the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court once the Articles of Impeachment are formally transmitted.