Malacañang said that while President Marcos is open to facilitating a dialogue between the Senate and the House of Representatives, he will not intervene in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) raised “grave constitutional questions” on the Senate’s move to return the articles of impeachment to the House, urging the upper chamber to uphold its constitutional duty and proceed with the trial.

Early this week, the Senate voted 18-5 to remand the articles of impeachment against Duterte this week.

In her press briefing, Castro said Marcos is willing to talk to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to thresh out their differences, but not when it comes to the impeachment process.

"The President is open for a dialogue," she said on Friday, June 13.

“Ayaw pong lumugar ng Pangulo na masasabi na siya po ay nakikialam patungkol dito (The President does not want to be seen as interfering in that matter),” she added.

The Palace official said the President respects the views of legal experts and institutions but reiterated his commitment to democratic processes.

“Ang bawat opinyon ng isang tao, ng grupo, ay iginagalang po ng Pangulo (The President respects every person’s or group’s opinion),” she said.

She then quoted the President: “Ang totoong kalaban po ng kapayapaan ay ang pagiging manhid (The real enemy of peace is indifference).”

Castro said that the President remains hopeful that, despite tensions, Congress will maintain institutional integrity.

“Naniniwala naman po at may tiwala ang Pangulo na ang anumang mga 'di pagkakasundo sa mga issues ay mareresolba ng dalawang kapulungan (The President believes and trusts that any disagreements will be resolved between the two chambers),” she said.

While Marcos does not plan to initiate a meeting with the Senate and House leaders on the impeachment matter, Castro said the President is ready to engage on other legislative issues.

“Sa mga ibang issues po malamang pwede. Depende po kung gaano na po ba kalala… I-a-assess po ito ng Pangulo (It’s possible if it’s about other issues. It depends on how serious the issue becomes… The President will assess the situation),” she said.

Among the matters the Palace is monitoring are disagreements over the legislated wage hike bill and the proposed Magna Carta for barangay healthcare workers, both of which have sparked debate in Congress.

Meanwhile, Castro appealed to senator-judges to remain neutral amid the impeachment trial.

“Sa batas naman po, sinasabi na pagka po kayo ay tumayong senator-judges, dapat meron kayong neutrality. Dapat hindi biased (The law says that when you act as a senator-judge, you must be neutral and not biased),” she said, stressing that this was her opinion and not of the Palace.

“Sana po igalang nila ang taong bayan at magpakita naman ng konting kahihiyan dahil ang sinisilbihan nila ay ang taong bayan, hindi para sa isang tao lamang (They should respect the people and have shame because they serve the people, not just one person),” she added.

President Marcos has repeatedly said that he does not want the impeachment, but urged Congress to follow due process.