Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is prepared to face a possible impeachment complaint against him, Malacañang said Monday, Jan. 12, after reports that people linked to Vice President Sara Duterte were discussing such a move.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president cannot prepare for a case that has yet to be filed.
“We will read it first if there is any complaint, and this is all alleged,” she said.
Castro cited media reports that supporters of a politician – whom she described as appearing to be members of the Duterte-backed “DDS” – had approached at least one lawmaker about filing an impeachment case against Marcos.
“We’ve seen in the news that supporters of a politician reportedly approached a lawmaker, and it appears they are members of the DDS,” she said.
She challenged supporters of the vice president who have floated impeachment against Marcos to instead address allegations facing Duterte.
“To the vice president’s supporters who want to file an impeachment complaint, it might be better that before pointing fingers at others, they help their idol first,” Castro said.
“Impeachment is not just for media attention or intimidation. It’s better that the issues are answered,” she added.
Castro said some claims circulating about an impeachment bid were meant to divert attention from allegations involving misuse of funds and alleged receipt of money from drug lords – accusations she said should be directly addressed.
The Palace official said Marcos respects the Constitution and due process and is ready for any scenario, but rejected claims of betrayal of public trust.
“If we are talking about breach of public trust, especially claims related to the signing of the national budget, first, the president did not steal any money,” she said.
“Second, he is the one who ordered investigations into anomalous flood control projects that may have caused corruption. Third, he has no ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’” Castro added, using a phrase that has circulated online as shorthand for alleged questionable spending.
Asked whether Malacañang believes Duterte or her family is behind the impeachment talk, Castro said the claim came from a lawmaker himself.
“That was admitted by a lawmaker. It came from him — that DDS or Duterte supporters want to file an impeachment complaint against the president,” she said.
Castro also expressed confidence that Marcos retains support in Congress, noting that impeachment is a numbers-driven process.
“For now, the president remains confident that lawmakers trust him because he has not committed any wrongdoing,” she said. “He even protected the 2025 budget by ensuring conditional implementation and funds marked ‘for later release.’ The President safeguarded public funds.”
She added that lawmakers who are “decent and upright” would side with good governance rather than corruption.
In a separate interview with Caloocan 2nd district Representative Edgar Erice on NewsWatch Plus, the lawmaker said he was approached by former government officials seeking his endorsement for an impeachment complaint against Marcos, to which he declined.
“They told me they would be filing an impeachment complaint against President Marcos and invited me to be one of the endorsers,” Erice said.
“I declined. Under the Supreme Court rules, this would go through the committee on justice, with hearings and a chance for everyone to respond,” he said.
Erice said those who contacted him were aligned with the vice president and opposed to Marcos, and cited “betrayal of public trust” as one of the grounds discussed, particularly the president’s alleged inaction when Congress altered the national budget.
He warned that back-to-back impeachment efforts against both the president and the vice president could destabilize the economy.
“This will hurt investor confidence, slow economic growth and delay programs and projects,” Erice said. “In the end, ordinary Filipinos — especially the poorest — will suffer.”
