President Marcos will not interfere in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, Malacañang said Thursday, May 15, reiterating that the matter is now in the hands of the Senate.

In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President is letting the process unfold independently and hopes senators will fulfill their duties with fairness and respect for the rule of law.

“Hindi makikialam ang Pangulo kung ano man ang mangyayari diyan, (The President will not interfere in whatever happens. We are all for the rule of law),” she said.

 “Basta tayong lahat ay para sa batas. Kung ano yung naaayon sa batas, siya ang dapat sundin (Whatever is under the law, that is what must be followed),” she added.

While reaffirming the administration’s neutral position, the Palace Press Officer said the President expects senators to act not out of loyalty to any individual, but with accountability to the Filipino people.

“Ang hiling natin ay gampanan ng mga senador ang kanilang obligasyon, hindi lang para sa isang tao kundi para sa lahat ng taong bayan (Our appeal is for senators to fulfill their obligation—not just to one person, but to all Filipinos),” she said.

Castro added that there has been no change in the President’s stance since before the midterm elections, stressing that Marcos has maintained a consistent position of non-interference.

However, online reports claimed President Marcos reportedly told his Cabinet secretaries on Thursday to focus on governance and not be distracted by partisan matters. Malacañang has yet to confirm this.

The issue stemmed from an impeachment complaint filed earlier this year against Vice President Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds during her time as Education secretary and her public threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.