MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday, December 3, distanced itself from the move of various groups to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement the prerogative of any Member of the House of Representatives,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement

“The Office of the President has nothing to do with it,” he added.

Bersamin issued the statement amid suspicions that the Marcos government is behind the impeachment complaint filed by Magdalo, Mamamayang Liberal, Tindig Pilipinas, families of drug war victims, and leaders of the Catholic Church.

They want Duterte indicted for betrayal of public trust, bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.

Days before the groups filed the impeachment complaint against the Vice President, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was personally against efforts to impeach his erstwhile ally.

“The President’s earlier statement on the matter is unambiguous,” Bersamin said on Tuesday. – Rappler.com