President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not involved in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as it is an independent constitutional process, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Wednesday.

“Wala pong anumang balita patungkol sa pag-pursue ng Pangulo sa impeachment, o sa impeachment trial ni VP Sara. So, iyan po ay ating tinututulan at pinasisinungalingan po,” Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Castro made the statement in response to questions on whether President Marcos is confident the impeachment trial against the Vice President will proceed, considering that most of the 12 newly elected senators were endorsed by the administration.

“Wala pong sinasabing anumang pagkumpiyansa na para mapatalsik o matanggal sa puwesto ang Bise Presidente,” Castro said.

In February this year, President Marcos said the executive department has no role in any impeachment process.

“Walang role ang executive sa impeachment,” President Marcos stressed.

The 1987 Constitution states that the impeachment of officials is an exclusive act of the bicameral Congress. The impeachment trial falls under the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, which is a co-equal executive branch.

The Constitution also provides that the House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment and that the Senate has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. | PND