By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Monday reiterated its steadfast commitment to absolute rule of law and due process as the nation navigates upcoming legal proceedings involving several high-profile political figures.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro maintained that the executive branch will strictly avoid interfering with the Senate impeachment trial of the Vice President Sara Duterte scheduled to begin on July 6, and international warrants of arrest.
Castro told the media, “Ang Malacañang, ang Palasyo at ang Pangulo ay hindi po magbibigay ng anumang prejudgment. Ang mga ebidensiya ay dapat na maisiwalat nang buo kapag nagkaroon na po ng impeachment trial.”
She deferred the prejudgment to the citizenry, “At tao na po ang manghuhusga, maliban po, of course, sa mga senator judges, sila na po ang manghuhusga kung ano po ang nilalaman ng mga ebidensiya at kung dapat bang managot ang isang bise presidente sa mga akusasyong ibinabato sa kaniya.”
When asked if the administration would support a wider investigation should the Senate trial uncover new evidence implicating other government officials, Castro said the President will not tolerate state corruption, regardless of political alliances.
She expressed hope that these anti-corruption campaigns would continue even past the President’s term to ensure that “those who must answer to the law will not get away.”
On ICC-related matters
The Palace also addressed reports from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) indicating that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to issue additional warrants of arrest soon regarding the brutal war on drugs under the previous administration.
The Palace official expounded, “Ang pagsasabi po ng maaaring magkaroon pa ng pag-isyu ng warrants of arrest ay expected ito dahil marami pa pong mga co-perpetrators. Pero sa ngayon ay wala pong naibibigay na anumang impormasyon kung may paparating. Kung anuman ang stance ng gobyerno sa ngayon, ganoon pa rin po ang ipapatupad.”
Castro declined to give a definitive answer when asked how the executive branch would handle a scenario where a sitting lawmaker, such as Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, faces an imminent warrant—and whether federal agents would defer if the Senate grants protective custody like it did earlier this month for Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Pressed on how law enforcement will ensure that future arrest operations within legislative premises remain orderly, she said the government would observe what the Department of Justice mandates and as long as the government does not violate any rules.
Regarding the ICC’s arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, she concluded that the senator has been named a co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity.
She added, “So, ang pagpapadala sa kaniya sa ICC ay para mabigyan ng hustisya, both sides, ang mga akusado at ang mga biktima diumano.” (PNA)
