President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should not be compared to Vice President Sara Duterte despite the two being the most powerful public officials in the country, Malacañang said yesterday.
The Palace made the statement after the group Duterte Youth criticized the Office of the President for having the largest confidential fund —P10.14 billion in 2024 — a key issue in the impeachment complaint lodged against the Vice President.
Last month, the group attempted to file an impeachment complaint against the President, but the Office of the Secretary General did not accept the filing because its entire staff was attending a “strategic planning seminar.”
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the impeachment case against the Vice President is entirely in the hands of the House of Representatives.
Castro stressed that Marcos should not be likened to Duterte, noting that the President did not spend millions of pesos in 11 days — an accusation directed at the Vice President.
She noted that the Office of the President is subject to a regular audit by the Commission on Audit.
“Our question is: has the Office of the President received a Notice of Disallowance regarding confidential funds? Have there been reports of questionable receipts? Did the President ask for a certificate from the AFP to justify the alleged P15-million expenditure for a youth summit — something that Atty. Michael Poa admitted was done at the Department of Education?” Castro said.
She pointed out the Armed Forces of the Philippines denied involvement in the youth summit, confirming that the certificate was requested by a staff member of the Vice President’s office.
“This was admitted by Attorney Poa during the investigation by the House Committee on Good Government,” she said.
“Whatever happens in the impeachment process, that is for the House of Representatives to decide. The President has no role in it,” Castro added.
Investor confidence down?
The Palace also rejected claims that investor confidence has declined because of the impeachment case against Duterte, saying it was a narrative pushed by the Vice President.
Duterte earlier claimed she was being blamed for the “poor performance” of the economy.
“That’s her belief. If she wants to push that narrative, that’s her choice. But we have documents that show where we are,” Castro said.
She said Duterte tended to focus on negativity in her public statements.
“The Vice President seems to have nothing but negative things to say about this administration. She has repeatedly shown no intention of helping the President or supporting the government on issues that matter to the country,” Castro said.