Philippines’ President Marcos says no benefit to seeking his deputy Duterte's impeachment

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) — Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday pushed back any potential impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte.

It “would not benefit the Filipino people,” Marco said, adding: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a storm in a teacup.”

The statement from Marcos came after police filed cases against Duterte over publicly threatening Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Some lawmakers have called for filing an impeachment motion against Duterte in Congress.

Duterte accused Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, of wanting her dead, alleging he sees her as the "biggest threat" to his aspirations for the 2028 presidential election.

The vice president was scheduled to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation over the case on Friday, which she skipped.

Duterte is also facing a congressional hearing on her alleged misuse of funds.

Marcos and Duterte were running mates in the 2022 elections, winning a six-year term.

The alliance has been upended in recent months, leading Duterte to resign in June from Marcos' Cabinet, where she held the education portfolio.​​​​​​​