Malacañang assured that government programs and functions will not be stalled during the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro refuted the statements of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano that there would only be a "selective justice" if the government would focus solely on the impeachment of its second-highest official, while sidelining the investigation into the massive flood control scandal.

Castro stressed that the impeachment case is not even brought up in meetings of the President and his Cabinet.

"[N]agtatrabaho ang gobyerno para mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot at hindi po focus sa impeachment trial. Sa totoo po, kapag nagmi-meeting po ang Pangulo with the Cabinet secretaries, hindi po napag-uusapan ang impeachment (The government is working to hold those liable and not focusing on the impeachment trial. In fact, the impeachment is not being discussed in meetings of the President and the Cabinet secretaries)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, June 25.

"Ang ehekutibo po, ang Pangulo, hindi po naaantala ang mga proyekto; patuloy pong nagtatrabaho kahit ano pa po ang isyu, maliban lamang po kung may mga taong gusto talagang maantala ang proyekto ng Pangulo (The executive, the President, will not allow the projects to be stalled; he continues to work amid issues, except if there are people who want to the projects of the President to be disrupted)," Castro stressed.

Castro further said that possible disruptions would not be allowed.

The Palace official underscored that the Senate has its own mandate, saying that "senators are fully aware of their responsibilities, both as an impeachment court and as a legislative body."

Castro, however, expressed hope that "there will be no further boycotts" of sessions in the upper chamber.

"Alam po nila kung kailan dapat gumawa ng batas at kailan kailangan na humarap bilang senator-judges sa isang impeachment court. So, sa ating palagay, responsable naman din po ang mga senador natin para tapusin ang kanilang trabaho, huwag na lang sana magkaroon ng pagbo-boycott muli ng mga sessions (They know when they need to pass laws and when they must serve as senator-judges in an impeachment trial. In our view, our senators are responsible enough to carry out and complete their duties. We only hope there will be no further boycotts of Senate sessions)," Castro said.

The Palace spokesperson said that strengthening accountability and transparency among public servants is for the benefit of the people. Thus, the impeachment trial of the Vice President will not cause further divide to the country.

"[H]indi ito magiging sanhi ng pagkakahati-hati. Ang magiging ugat lang naman ng pagkakahati-hati ng mga Pilipino ay kung mayroong mga taong gumagawa ng fake news at mga taong gustong itago o mag-cover up ng mga ebidensiya para makalusot ang kanilang mga pinupoon o iniidolo (This will not cause division. The only thing that can cause division among Filipinos is if there are those who spread fake news and those who try to hide or cover up evidence so that their favored or idolized individuals can get away with it)," Castro said.

"Kailangan po ng taumbayan na makita ang katotohanan. Kapag nakita po natin ang katotohanan, mas lalo tayong magkakaisa dahil alam natin kung kailan tayo dapat maniwala at kung kailan tayo dapat hindi maniwala sa mga sinasabi ng iba (The public needs to see the truth. Once we see the truth, we will become even more united because we know when to believe and when not to believe what others are saying)," Castro stressed.

When sought for reaction on the prosecution's confirmation that Mary Grace Piattos is a material witness on the alleged misuse of confidential funds, Castro said "it's their strategy."

"Strategy po nila iyon. Strategy nila, pero kung ayon sa PSA ay walang Mary Grace Piattos so baka mahirapan silang makita kung sino iyong Mary Grace Piattos. Pero nasa kanila po iyang style or strategy (That's their strategy. But, the Philippine Statistics Authority already said that there is no certain Mary Grace Piattos, so they might face difficulty in identifying Mary Grace Piattos. But that's their style or strategy)," she said.

The impeachment case against Duterte stems from four consolidated complaints accusing her of various offenses, including the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, violations involving assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), bribery, corruption, and controversial public statements directed at President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.