Senator Imee Marcos expressed her belief that those who are keen on dismissing the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is not just limited to the so-called "Duterte allies" in the Senate, but even senators aligned with the administration.

In a press conference on Thursday, June 5, the presidential sister said her “suspicion” is that certain groups aligned with the current administration of his brother, President Marcos, are quietly working to have the complaint dismissed.

“Ang pakiramdam ko ang mismong administrasyon ay may mga grupo na nagsasabi na huwag na ituloy at baka mapahiya lang sa numero (I feel that even within the administration, there are groups saying it shouldn't be pursued anymore because they might just end up embarrassed by the numbers),” she said, adding that this sentiment was not confined to the so-called “Duterte 5” in the Senate.

While Marcos did not name any specific senators or government figures, she pointed out that some are likely wary of a full-blown impeachment trial, especially if it leads to what can be called a public defeat via Duterte's acquittal.

“Di ba mas mahirap, mas nakakahiya kapag nagkaroon ng paglilitis at matalo? ("Isn't it more difficult, more embarrassing, if the trial pushes through and ends in a loss?)” She said, implying that this may be the motivation for those pushing to end the process preemptively.

Marcos confirmed that multiple versions of the resolution seeeking to dismiss Duterte's impeachment complaint have been shown to her.

While Dela Rosa has admitted authoring one version, Marcos emphasized it’s a "joint effort" among senators.

“Marami kasing draft na pinapakita sa amin, kanya-kanyang ideya...Yung nilabas sa media, parang ikatlo na ata yon. Tapos mula noon meron pa akong nakitang iba, dalawa pa yata (There are many drafts being shown to us, each with its own ideas... The one released to the media was probably the third. After that, I saw a couple more, maybe two others),” she said.

Asked if all drafts came from Dela Rosa's office she replied: "No, iba-iba di ko nga alam kung sino kasi nga naguusap-usap kami sa floor, ilalatag, isusulat, kung anong maayos. Joint effort lahat (No, they’re from different people—I don’t even know who exactly, because we just talk about it on the floor, lay things out, write down what works. It’s really a joint effort)."

She said senators are searching for a “solution” to the situation. Options include allowing the complaint to be carried over to the 20th Congress, convening as an impeachment court, or outright dismissal.

Marcos raised serious concerns about the timeline and handling of the impeachment complaints by the House of Representatives. She noted that multiple verified complaints were filed in early to mid-December 2024, but the latest version was transmitted to the Senate only in February 2025.

“Ang tanong ko, bakit winithold? Kung winithold nila, aba’y sila pala ang nagpatagal nitong lahat (My question is, why was it withheld? If they were the ones who withheld it, then they’re actually the ones who caused all the delay),” she said, accusing the House of delaying the process, potentially rendering the impeachment invalid due to the one-year ban on filing successive complaints.

She also weighed in on the arguments that the Senate is constitutionally obligated to proceed with the trial under the “forthwith” clause.

“Mas importante sa iisang salita na ‘forthwith’ ang malawakang kapangyarihan na binibigay ng ating Saligang Batas sa Senado (More important than the single word ‘forthwith’ is the broad authority granted by our Constitution to the Senate),” she said.

The Senate is currently scheduled to receive and convene for the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment by June 11, as the 19th Congress adjourns. But Marcos said she believes it’s already too late for a trial.

“Wala na talagang panahon para sa trial. Dapat i-basura na. Pwede silang [House] magpila ulit, subject to the 1-year ban (There really is no more time for a trial. It should be junked. The House can file again, subject to the one-year ban),” she said.

When asked if someone would move to dismiss the complaint before June 11, she replied, “Hindi ko alam. Na kay SP [Senate President] yun ("I don’t know. That’s up to the Senate President).”

Still, she noted that almost all senators are actively searching for the most “legally sound, fastest, and clearest” solution.