President Marcos is confident lawmakers will base their decision on evidence rather than politics following the Justice panel’s adoption of a report dismissing impeachment complaints against him.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos recognizes that any resolution of the issue lies with the House of Representatives and not within the authority of the presidency.

“Ang anuman pong mangyayari na solusyon, resolusyon, desisyon po ng House of Representatives ay hindi po ito saklaw ng Pangulo (Whatever solution, resolution, or decision the House of Representatives arrives at is not within the President’s authority),” she said Monday, Feb. 9.

She added that the President is hopeful legislators will rely on facts presented during deliberations.

“Umaasa po ang Pangulo na kahit na po ang sinasabing impeachment ay isang political tool, umaasa po siya na ang mga miyembro po ng House of Representatives ay maaayon lamang kung anong ebidensiya na naipakita at naging discussion sa Committee on Justice (The President hopes that even if impeachment is described as a political tool, members of the House of Representatives will align themselves only with the evidence presented and discussed at the Committee on Justice),” Castro said.

The Palace Press Officer likewise said that the President remains confident in his position regarding the allegations.

“At ang Pangulo po mismo, sa sarili niya, kumpiyansa siya na wala po siyang ginawang anumang impeachable offense (And the President himself is confident that he committed no impeachable offense),” she said.

Last week, President Marcos said he was confident he would overcome the impeachment complaints filed against him, describing them as politically motivated and lacking valid grounds.

“I wasn’t very worried because I saw the impeachment complaint and I knew that we would be — that I would be all right in terms of the impeachment,” Marcos told reporters on Feb. 6.

“Kasi wala naman — there were no real grounds for the impeachment. It was a political move as usual,” he added.

The President also welcomed the dismissal of the impeachment complaints by the House justice panel, saying the issue diverted attention from government work.

“I’m glad that, of course — I’m glad that the impeachment complaints against me have been — are finished,” he said.

“I’m happy it’s done, and we can get on with our work, you know. Because these things are distractions from the things that we were doing,” he added.