Malacañang said members of the House of Representatives must decide for themselves whether to pursue an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that such decisions should be guided by conscience and evidence, not signals from the Palace.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this following suggestions from lawmakers that an impeachment effort requires clearance from Malacañang.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Castro said legislators were elected by the people and are expected to know right from wrong and act in the public interest rather than for political convenience.

“Alam po nating lahat na ang mga mambabatas ay binoto dahil sila po ay may puso, may talino at may konsensya (We all know that lawmakers were elected because they have heart, intelligence, and conscience),” she said.

“Alam nila na ang kanilang gagawing trabaho ay para sa taumbayan, hindi para sa iilan lamang (They know that the work they do is for the country, not for a few people),” she added.

Castro stressed that matters within the House are outside President Marcos’ scope.

“Kung anuman po ang tinatrabaho o ginagawa po sa House of Representatives hindi po iyan saklaw ng ating Pangulo (Whatever is being worked on in the House of Representatives is not within the President’s authority),” she said.

“So, sila na po, nasa pagdedesisyon po nila iyan (So it is up to them; the decision rests with them),” she added.

The Palace Press Officer reiterated that if an impeachment complaint is filed, it should be treated the same way as the investigation into alleged flood control anomalies.

She said this means a thorough and evidence-based inquiry where accountability is pursued if wrongdoing is established.

“Kung kinakailangan imbestigahan ng malaliman at dapat may managot, dapat na managot (If it needs to be investigated deeply and someone must be held accountable, then they should be held accountable),” Castro said.