Palace: Sara Duterte impeachment driven by law, not 2028 politics

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday pushed back against claims by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is intended to prevent her from running in the 2028 presidential elections.

Mayor Duterte made the remarks during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, where his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is currently detained over alleged crimes against humanity.

READ: ICYMI: Sara Duterte impeachment trial Week 1 highlights

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“Do they want the government not to take action, not to follow what the law says, and allow those accused of committing crimes against the nation to escape and get away with it?” Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a Viber message to reporters.=

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She added, “Why don’t they directly answer the accusations instead of just repeatedly claiming that they are being politically persecuted? Have they heard the Vice President deny the issue of misusing public funds and her admission that she was communicating with a killer to carry out a killing?”

The Palace official maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. exercises his authority in accordance with the law, unlike the previous administration.

“Let us remember that punching a sheriff who was merely performing his duty is the true abuse of power,” Castro said.

READ: Mayor Sara Duterte smacks the sheriff

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She was referring to an incident in 2011 when Vice President Duterte punched a sheriff who was bent on demolishing houses in a contested property in Barangay Soliman, Davao City.

During Thursday’s interview, Mayor Duterte claimed that the arrest of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former Rep. Mike Defensor showed how the administration treats its critics.

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“They are the ones in power. Whoever does not follow them or refuses to comply with them, they will definitely punish that person,” he said. /das

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