Malacañang said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will not interfere in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate, stressing respect for the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

During a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the matter is solely within the mandate of the Senate, which is set to convene for the impeachment proceedings.

“Alam naman po natin ang impeachment trial ay trabaho po ito at mandato po ito ng Senado. Hindi po kailangan na makialam ang Pangulo sa sinabing mandato ng Senado dahil mayroon po tayong separation of powers,” Castro said.

Castro added that accountability should remain the guiding principle in the proceedings, stressing that no individual should be allowed to escape responsibility if proven liable.

She further noted that both government institutions and the public should remember that accountability applies to everyone, and that no one should serve as a means for avoiding legal responsibility.

“Ang dapat lang po sigurong lagi nating tandaan, hindi lamang ang Senado, hindi lang sa Senado at senador kundi tayo mismong mga Pilipino — ang dapat na managot ayon nga sa Pangulo ay dapat na managot. So, huwag na lamang siguro maging daan ang sinuman sa pagtakas ng mga dapat na managot,” she emphasized.

Malacañang reiterated that it is the Senate’s duty and responsibility to conduct the impeachment trial in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws, and that the Executive Branch’s role is limited to upholding legal processes.

Meanwhile, the Senate is preparing to formally convene for the impeachment trial but has yet to announce a definitive schedule.