MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday distanced himself from the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, asserting that the executive branch had no role in the process.

“No, the executive cannot have a hand in the impeachment. Walang role ang executive sa impeachment,” Marcos said in a Palace press conference when asked about the complaint filed against Duterte.

The President dismissed speculation that the impeachment move had his approval, saying he was being given “too much credit.” He maintained that the House of Representatives was simply fulfilling its constitutional duty.

“They will decide how they will proceed. I don’t think you can expect the congressman, or the senator, or the SP, or the Speaker to come to me, ‘Oh, what do you want us to do?’ They have their own way of doing things,” he said.

Marcos also denied directing lawmakers on how to handle the impeachment, emphasizing the independence of the legislative branch.

“I do not give guidance to Congress. Again, you give too much credit that I can tell congressmen to do this, and to do that. I cannot. I do not give guidance to Congress. We are independent of each other,” he stressed.

Despite his insistence on non-involvement, Marcos acknowledged that his allies in the House respected his previous call to hold off on impeachment proceedings, citing pressing national challenges.

Citing Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Marcos said lawmakers were obligated to process the impeachment complaint once it was filed.

“The House has no choice, the Senate has no choice, kailangan nilang iproseso ang impeachment complaint. And that’s precisely what has happened,” he said.

Historic impeachment move

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives formally impeached Duterte, marking the first time a Philippine vice president has faced such action. She is accused of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, including the alleged misuse of confidential funds for her office and the Department of Education, which she heads.

At least 215 lawmakers backed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte on the last session day before Congress adjourned for the midterm elections.

The case now moves to the Senate, which will determine whether Duterte should be removed from office.