Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte would not be sidelined by the flood control scam probe, as agencies continue to pursue corruption cases independent of the looming litigation.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano previously warned against allowing the impeachment proceedings to overshadow corruption investigations and result in “selective justice.”
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said there was no basis for suggesting that the administration wanted the impeachment trial to take precedence over corruption investigations.
“Who told him that the government is only focused on the impeachment trial? We have seen how the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), the Ombudsman and the DOJ (Department of Justice) are working,” she said.
She added that there is no mention about the impeachment case in high-level meetings.
“To be honest, whenever the president meets with the Cabinet secretaries, impeachment is not discussed,” she said.
Castro also took aim at Cayetano’s remarks in a Facebook Live broadcast, suggesting he should pay closer attention to the government’s actions.
“Perhaps, since he likes social media and is busy on Facebook, he should look at the updates on how the government is working to hold accountable those who should be held accountable. The government is not focused only on the impeachment trial,” she said.
“So where is former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano getting these stories? Maybe next time you get the chance, ask him where he gets these stories,” the official told the media.
