Marcos Jr. won't monitor Sara Duterte's trial, says Palace

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not be watching the opening day of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, Malacañang said on Monday, July 6.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Presidential Communications Office briefing that Marcos has a heavy workload and will instead rely on news updates rather than watch the proceedings live.

"The president does not need to monitor [the proceedings] closely," Castro said in a mix of English and Filipino. "He has more important work to do and won't just sit around to watch the trial."

Castro said the executive branch will remain neutral during the trial.

"Katulad po ng sinabi po natin even before, at nagsalita na rin po ang pangulo sa kapihan, kung may kinakailangan pong sagutin ay dapat lamang pong sagutin. Kung kaya naman po na malinis ang mga pangalan ay dapat lamang pong gawin," Castro said. "Mas maganda pong humarap sa nasabing trial para po siya na mismo ang sumagot ng mga akusasyon laban sa kanya."

(As we said before, and as the president also said at the Kapihan, if there is something that needs to be answered, then it should be answered. If it is possible to clear one's name, then that should be done. It would be better for [Duterte] to appear at the trial so she can personally answer the accusations against her.)

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, opened Duterte's trial at 2 p.m. Monday. Duterte faces allegations of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth and threats against Marcos and other officials, which she has denied.

A conviction would require at least 16 votes in the 24-member Senate and could bar Duterte from holding public office. The trial opens amid a deepening political split between Marcos and Duterte, who ran together in 2022. — Cristina Chi