MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants any new impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to undergo the same level of scrutiny applied to ongoing investigations into flood control projects, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday, January 12.

Reports are circulating about the possible filing of another impeachment complaint against Duterte, whose one-year ban on impeachment is set to lapse in February. During impeachment deliberations at the House of Representatives in 2025, Marcos said he did not want Duterte impeached.

“Kung ano po ang pagtrato sa pag-iimbestiga sa flood control projects, mga anomalyang flood control projects, ganoon din po ang gawing pagtrato sa paggagawa o sa pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito sa impeachment complaint laban kay VP Sara,” Castro said.

(However the flood control project anomalies are being investigated, that should also be how the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara is scrutinized.)

Castro said the president believes accountability should apply to anyone found liable, regardless of position. She added that Marcos will respect the impeachment process should another complaint be filed against his 2022 running mate.

The Palace’s comments came amid separate impeachment rumors involving Marcos himself. House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan) said he had been invited to join efforts to remove the president from office.

“Ang pangulo po, unang-una, hindi po siya nagnakaw ng pera; pangalawa, siya po ang nagpapaimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects at maaaring naging sanhi ng korapsiyon; pangatlo, wala po siyang ‘Mary Grace Piattos’,” Castro said.

(The president, first of all, did not steal money; second, he was the one who ordered investigations into anomalous flood control projects that may have caused corruption; third, he does not have a “Mary Grace Piattos.”)

Castro was referring to the “Mary Grace Piattos” issue linked to Duterte, in which receipts were allegedly issued to questionable beneficiaries with names not found in Philippine identification systems.

Malacañang also dismissed talks of a possible impeachment complaint against Marcos as unsubstantiated, saying the Chief Executive remains focused on governance.

“At this point, these are unsubstantiated statements allegedly coming from the supporters of a certain politician,” Castro said in a statement on Sunday, January 11. “The President remains committed to leading and producing results for the Filipino people. He respects the existing constitutional processes and believes that any actions taken by members of Congress will be driven by facts, the law, and national interest. The administration will not speculate on rumours or political maneuverings,” she added.

Erice said some “leaders” of various groups invited him to endorse an impeachment complaint against Marcos, citing betrayal of public trust as one possible ground, but he declined the invitation. He also noted that under Supreme Court rules, impeachment complaints must first pass through the House Committee on Justice.

The reported move comes amid speculation that Duterte may face another impeachment complaint when Congress resumes session on January 26. Under the 1987 Constitution, the President may be impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.