ES denies claims of presidential interference in VP Duterte's impeachment

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Monday denied claims that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr. delayed the progress of impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Bersamin emphasized that initiating and acting on impeachment complaints is solely within the House of Representatives' jurisdiction, stressing that the president will not interfere.

The House of Representatives has announced plans to refer three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte to the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez by this week.

Some lawmakers are considering filing a fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte, with at least one-third of House members expected to sign it.

Despite previous discouragement from Marcos, who noted that pursuing Duterte's impeachment would be counterproductive and a waste of time, the process is set to move forward ahead of Congress' adjournment next week.

Duterte said she welcomes the impeachment complaint filed against her, while ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel of the Makabayan bloc condemned the 'unprecedented delay' in processing the complaints, attributing it to Marcos.

Bersamin clarified that Marcos was expressing his position and not blocking the lower house, while stressing that ousting Duterte would not benefit Filipinos.