President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is prepared to face any impeachment complaint that may be filed against him, Malacañang asserted on Monday, January 12, 2025. The declaration was made during a press conference in Davao Oriental, where the President was visiting areas affected by the recent Manay earthquake.
Palace Confirms President's Readiness
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that President Marcos holds the Constitution and due process in high regard. She addressed the brewing political tension head-on, directly responding to allegations of a breach of public trust related to his signing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) from 2023 to 2025.
"If we are talking about a breach of public trust because of the alleged signing of the GAA, first of all, the President did not steal any money," Castro said in Filipino. She emphasized two other key points: the President himself ordered probes into anomalous flood control projects potentially tainted by corruption, and that he does not have any figure analogous to 'Mary Grace Piattos'.
The 'Mary Grace Piattos' Reference
The name Mary Grace Piattos has become a point of controversy. She is the individual who allegedly signed most acknowledgement receipts for the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) under Vice President Sara Duterte. Investigations have revealed that Piattos has negative records for her certificate of live birth, marriage, and death.
Castro's remark was a clear counter to the political narrative, suggesting the administration's issues are being investigated transparently, unlike other cases.
Roots of the Impeachment Threat
The Palace's firm stance follows claims made a day earlier by House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan Second District Representative Edgar Erice. On Sunday, January 11, Erice alleged that lawmakers supporting Vice President Sara Duterte were planning to file an impeachment complaint against President Marcos.
The cited grounds would be betrayal of public trust for approving what they label as "corruption-riddled" national budgets. Erice also mentioned plans to refile impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte, following the lapse of the one-year ban on filing repeated complaints against the same official.
Castro dismissed the supposed plan as baseless. She also issued a pointed message to the Vice President's supporters. "Perhaps it would be better if, before pointing fingers at others, they first help their idol," she advised, stressing that an impeachment complaint is a serious constitutional process, not merely a tool for media attention or intimidation.
Confidence in Congressional Trust
Despite the political maneuvering, the Palace expressed confidence in the President's standing with legislators. "For now, the President remains confident that lawmakers still trust him, as he has not committed any wrongdoing," Castro added.
Regarding the potential impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte, Castro noted that President Marcos desires a thorough investigation similar to the ongoing probe into the flood control projects, where accountability is applied equally. She did not specify whether the President supports or opposes the filing of such complaints against Duterte.
The exchange highlights the escalating political rivalry between the camps of President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, setting the stage for a contentious period in Philippine politics centered on accountability and constitutional processes.
