MANILA, Philippines — By declaring readiness to assume the presidency if President Marcos steps down or is impeached over the raging corruption controversy, Vice President is clearly engaging in “political destabilization,” Malacañang said yesterday.
“This is definitely a form of political destabilization; it weakens the public confidence in the administration. And those words contribute to the climate of uncertainty and crisis,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a briefing.
Duterte, running mate-turned-arch critic of Marcos, said there is no question about her readiness to become president after she was asked by reporters last Tuesday how prepared she was for the possibility of the President resigning.
She added that she had presented herself as a candidate for vice president with the understanding that she would be the first in line of succession.
Castro said it is “not acceptable” for a vice president to anticipate the resignation of the president.
“If she is ready, we can see that she is anticipating that the President will be gone. That is their plot, that is what is in their minds and that is what they are doing now,” Castro said.
She then alluded to allegations of Duterte’s misuse of her confidential funds.
“Let us ask the people: are you ready for more Mary Grace Piattos?” she said, referring to the alias of one of the recipients of Duterte’s confidential funds.
Castro maintained that Marcos remains in control of government and is fit to lead the country.
No to junta
In Davao City, Duterte also said she is against a “military-backed reset” of the government.
“For me, I have an oath and I said in my oath, to preserve and defend the Constitution, so that is my job. Any extra constitutional movements or actions are beyond my sphere. So, if they want to move outside of the Constitution, it is up to them,” Duterte said at a press conference yesterday in Davao City.
“I will just stick to what is in our Constitution… I will not get involved in that (military junta),” Duterte added.
The Vice President said Marcos had committed various offenses that could justify his impeachment but she maintained she would not initiate the filing of a case against him.
Duterte said the signature of Marcos in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is “the best evidence against him” amid allegations of insertions in the budget.
“He saw what Congress did to the National Expenditure Program, this was his budget but he still signed it, so his signature in the General Appropriations Act is the best evidence against him. He is accountable because he allowed the insertions, so that is a culpable violation of the Constitution,” she added.
“So, that final document is in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and I don’t need to say that the President is involved because we can see it. Who signed the GAB? Will he say that he didn’t sign the GAB? ‘No, it’s not me. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. didn’t sign it.’ The evidence of his participation is his signature in GAA,” the Vice President explained.
She also claimed that Marcos’ continued refusal to take a hair follicle drug test is also an impeachable offense.
Meanwhile, after escaping an impeachment trial, Duterte said her lawyers continue to prepare in case more impeachment cases are filed against her. - Edith Regalado