Palace denies involvement in VP Duterte impeachment trial

Malacañang asserted that it is not involved in any way with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro advised senator-judges to avoid making statements that could reveal their biases, comparing it to a judge declaring guilt before evidence is presented.

Castro specifically addressed Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri's remark calling the impeachment trial a 'witch hunt,' noting that the trial has not yet commenced.

She emphasized that the Office of the President has no participation in the impeachment proceedings and that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere.

This comes after VP Duterte described the impeachment complaint as 'pure political persecution and harassment' from an interview in The Hague.

Castro stated that as far as the administration is concerned, there is no political persecution targeting the Vice President and that the fate of the trial lies solely with the Senate.