By The clarification was made by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a media briefing at the Palace grounds, where she directly addressed reports and rumors circulating about a possible impeachment move against the Vice President. These speculations intensified in the wake of shifting political alliances and the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, which are expected to reshape the composition of the Senate.
“There is no truth to the reports that the President is pushing for the impeachment or impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Atty. Castro said. “Wala pong balita o pahiwatig mula sa Pangulo na gusto niyang ituloy ang anumang impeachment laban sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Kaya’t pinabulaanan natin ito.”
The Undersecretary emphasized that any such claims are baseless and not grounded in official policy or directive from the Office of the President. “These are mere speculations that have no bearing on the administration’s current focus, which remains on governance, economic recovery, and delivering key programs to the Filipino people,” she added.
Political Noise Amid a Shifting Landscape
The denial comes amid swirling political narratives suggesting a potential rift between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, both of whom ran under a unity ticket during the 2022 national elections. While both leaders initially enjoyed a strong political alliance, recent developments — including Duterte’s resignation as Education Secretary in July 2024 and her more assertive stance on key national issues — have sparked speculation about a cooling relationship.
Political observers note that any move to impeach a sitting Vice President would require not only substantial legal grounds but also strong backing in both the House of Representatives and the Senate — something that, according to current indications, does not appear to be forthcoming from the administration.
“The President has been consistent in prioritizing unity and national stability. Even in the face of political differences, he has never made any public or private statement hinting at initiating an impeachment case,” said a senior Palace source who requested anonymity.
Senate Composition in 2025 a Factor?
Much of the recent chatter has centered on whether the incoming composition of the Senate after the 2025 midterm elections could influence potential political proceedings, including any impeachment trial. However, Atty. Castro dismissed this angle as premature and speculative.
“We cannot and should not reduce the democratic process into a numbers game. Let us not politicize institutions and the constitutional roles of our elected officials,” she stated.
Legal analysts have also weighed in, noting that while impeachment is a constitutional mechanism, it should not be weaponized for political gain.
“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process designed for accountability — not for settling political rivalries,” said Atty. Remigio Valera, a constitutional law professor at the University of the Philippines. “Without clear and provable grounds such as betrayal of public trust or culpable violation of the Constitution, it is irresponsible to even float the idea.”
VP Duterte: Silent Amid the Noise
Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to release an official statement in response to the Palace clarification. Her office has maintained a steady silence over the past weeks despite mounting media inquiries regarding her political plans, particularly in light of her departure from the Cabinet and her increasingly independent stance.
Duterte, who continues to enjoy strong support from her Davao base and many regions in Mindanao, has remained active in community engagements and local governance forums, further fueling speculation that she may be positioning herself for a major role in the 2028 presidential race.
Calls for Unity from Within
Despite the apparent factionalism developing within the political landscape, key figures in both the administration and Congress are urging unity and a return to policy-driven governance.
“We are calling on all public servants to set aside political differences and focus on our duty to the Filipino people,” said House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez in a statement released Wednesday. “Now is not the time for division, but for leadership and collaboration.”
As the country approaches another pivotal electoral cycle, the relationship between the top two officials of the land will remain under public scrutiny. However, for now, Malacañang’s message is clear: the President is not pursuing any impeachment case against his Vice President, and any reports suggesting otherwise are “unfounded and misleading.”
The Palace concluded its statement with a call for responsible journalism and a reminder to the public to verify information from official channels before drawing conclusions or spreading unverified narratives.
