MANILA – Malacañang has stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere in any impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that such matters fall under Congress’s jurisdiction. This position was articulated by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on January 6, 2026, amid discussions of potential new impeachment efforts.
Castro highlighted the president’s stance: “Those who should be held accountable should be held accountable.” The announcement follows the Makabayan bloc’s readiness to endorse a fresh impeachment bid once the one-year ban imposed by the Supreme Court expires in February 2026.
Background on Impeachment Efforts
- In December 2024, four impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte.
- The fourth complaint, arising from the House Good Government and Public Accountability Panel’s inquiry into the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, was endorsed by more than 200 congressmen in February 2025, leading to her impeachment in the House.
- The Senate voted 19–4, with one abstention, to archive the impeachment articles in August 2025, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the complaint unconstitutional.
No further reactions from other officials or additional political developments were detailed in the report. The Palace’s non-interference stance underscores a hands-off approach to congressional proceedings.