MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not have a hand in the decision of his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, to inhibit from all proceedings related to the impeachment complaints filed against the president in the House of Representatives.
The younger Marcos on Monday announced he is recusing himself “from all discussions, deliberations, and proceedings of the House Committee on Rules” concerning the impeachment but would fulfill his duties as House majority leader “in all other matters.” “The act of congressman Sandro Marcos inhibiting himself voluntarily from this issue, especially regarding the impeachment complaint filed against his own father — it is a hallmark of a statesman. It shows his character; it shows his decency. And we believe that it is the right thing to do,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press conference.
“The president does not interfere in any actions that his son will take because he knows that his son only needs to fulfill his mandate. As a public servant, Congressman Marcos knows what the law says and what he should do,” she added in Filipino.
Two impeachment complaints were filed against the president in the chamber. The first was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jernie Nisay, while the second complaint was endorsed by the Makabayan bloc.
The verified complaints, received by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil, have been referred to the Committee on Justice.
Castro reiterated that the president would continue to respect the process and would not let attempts to unseat him be obstacles in discharging his sworn oath as leader.
“The president respects whatever actions and decisions of the House of Representatives are. Let’s let the process operate in accordance with the law,” she said.
“These impeachment complaints filed against the president will not stop the president from continuing to work to uplift the lives of every Filipino,” Castro added.
