MANILA – Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not involve himself in any attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro emphasized that filing an impeachment complaint falls outside the President’s jurisdiction.
“Any group’s filing of an impeachment complaint is not something the President has the authority to control,” Castro said. She added that the issue has not been addressed in any of the President’s meetings.
Castro also reiterated that Marcos remains committed to accountability for all, without exceptions. “Unity cannot be achieved if outstanding issues remain unresolved. The President does not have the power to decide who may file an impeachment complaint against the Vice President,” she explained.
Reports suggest that the complainants behind previous impeachment cases are preparing to refile once the one-year constitutional ban ends in February. They may rely on the testimony of Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be Duterte’s former civil intelligence agent. Madriaga alleged in an affidavit that he acted as her “bagman” and that funds used during her May 2022 campaign were derived from illegal drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
In July 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the earlier impeachment complaint was invalid. When asked about the case being called a “failed impeachment,” Castro said it was premature to label it as such, noting that proceedings are still before the High Court.
