Vancouver, Canada — An official facing an impeachment trial would be better off appearing before the impeachment court and answering questions personally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Saturday, July 4, saying it would help clarify the issues more quickly.
In an interview with reporters, Marcos was asked whether Vice President Sara Duterte should attend her impeachment trial, the President stressed that the decision ultimately rests with the accused and their lawyers.
“My only experience with an impeachment trial was during the Corona impeachment trial,” he said, referring to his stint as a senator-judge in 2012.
“It’s really up to the accused whether they feel the need to appear. I guess the lawyers on the defense side will give their advice.”
He added that hearing directly from the accused would benefit the proceedings.
“It would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly,” he said.
“The accused can answer directly, not through secondary channels, not through the lawyers.”
In his view, that would make the proceedings more straightforward.
“If the accused can answer directly, of course the process becomes clearer. The process becomes easier,” he said.
The president emphasized that he was expressing a personal opinion rather than a legal one.
“If I were in that position, I would probably insist on appearing,” he said.
“Even if my lawyers advised me not to appear, I would insist on appearing. I can answer the questions, so let’s answer them.”
