Palace on VP Sara’s call for Marcos to resign: ‘Malaking kalokohan’

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte has no right to demand the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. if she herself will not do so, the Palace said on Wednesday.

Duterte earlier said she will never step down from her post despite the ongoing impeachment trial that might perpetually ban her from office.

“Kung hindi po siya mag-resign, desisyon niya po iyan. Walang nanghihimasok diyan. Pero ang pagsasabi niya na mag-resign ang Pangulo, iyan ay malaking kalokohan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Duterte herself earlier urged the President to step down amid alleged failures to solve the country’s biggest problems.

“Wala siyang karapatan na humingi ng resignation ng Pangulo. Ang Pangulo ay nagtatrabaho. Ang Pangulo ang iniisip ay kapakanan ng bansa, kapakanan ng taumbayan. Hindi nagkakaroon na anumang secret deal sa mga dayuhan para ipagkanulo ang interes ng ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.

The Palace official also said she is not expecting anything meaningful from the Duterte, a retort apparently in response to Duterte’s earlier remark.

“Ano maeexpect natin sa Bise Presidente na pagtulong sa isinasagawa ng Pangulo, sa mga interventions ng gobyerno, wala tayong lalong maasahan sa Bise Presidente,” she said.

The Office of the Vice President also criticized the National Bureau of Investigation for its operations that seemed to “attack” the VP.

Duterte questioned why NBI is being used for activities with no clear benefit for the public.

NBI director Melvin Matibag recently showed Duterte’s alleged properties to match its value with what is declared in their SALN.

“Ang dapat na tugon dito ay pasinungalingan niya sa pamamagitan ng ebidensya iyong mga naituturo sa kanyang diumanong krimen or corruption na ibinabato sa kanya,” Castro said.

“Hindi po tayo naghuhusga rito hanggat wala tayong ebidensya o hindi nagkakaroon ng anumang desisyon ang Korte. Pero since ang NBI, ang NBI Director, totoo pinapasweldo ng gobyerno, kaya nga po nagtatrabaho,” she added.

Castro took the chance to take a jab against Duterte.

“Mas mahirap po na sumusweldo ka, public servant ka, wala kang ginagawa, kung  hindi magbakasyon at manira ng ibang opisyal,” she ended.

Meanwhile, the Palace said it respects the prosecution panel’s decision to withdraw three of the articles of impeachment against Duterte.

The surprising move was announced by lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro, where they will be withdrawing the articles on grave threats, confidential funds, and bribery.

This meant only the article on unexplained wealth will push through when trial resumes in November.

“Well, everybody, we are all for the truth. We are all for transparency and accountability. Pero kung ito ang legal na estratehiya ng prosecution, hindi po natin mako-question kung ano man ang kanilang desisyon at kung ano ang ipakita nilang mga ebidensya at mga dokumento,” Castro said.

Castro said Duterte can explain her side in other venues.

The Palace official reiterated that the President will not intervene with the decision of the prosecution or the impeachment court.