Malacañang said Vice President Sara Duterte may still run for president in the 2028 elections if she is cleared of any impeachable offense in the ongoing Senate impeachment trial.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said no one can prevent Duterte from seeking the presidency if she proves that she is not liable for the allegations raised against her.
“Kung mapapatunayan ng Bise Presidente na siya ay walang bahid ng anumang impeachable offense, walang makakapigil sa kanyang tumakbo at mangarap na maging pangulo ng bansa sa susunod na eleksyon,” Castro said in a statement on Friday.
Castro emphasized that the impeachment proceedings must be resolved based on the provisions of the Constitution, saying the Senate is acting within its authority as an impeachment court.
She added that if Duterte survives the trial due to political support rather than the strength of the evidence presented, the decision would ultimately rest with the Filipino electorate.
“Kung malalampasan niya ang impeachment trial hindi dahil sa ebidensya kundi dahil sa kanyang mga kaalyado, bahala na ang taumbayan ang magpasya rito,” Castro said.
“Ngunit sa ngayon ang sinusunod lamang ng Senado ay kung ano ang isinasaad ng Konstitusyon,” she added.
Castro called on all parties involved to respect the impeachment process and avoid turning the proceedings into a political issue.
“Proseso ito. Dapat lang igalang ang proseso at huwag pulitikahin pati ang proseso, “ she said.
The Palace issued the statement after Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, that the impeachment trial against his sister was intended to prevent her from seeking the presidency in 2028.
Duterte is facing impeachment allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
She has repeatedly denied the allegations and said her participation in the impeachment proceedings remains a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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