Rep. Marcos on signing Sara Duterte impeach rap first: No surprise
Vice President Sara Duterte and locos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos. INQUIRER/PPA POOL photos
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential son and locos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos said being the first to sign the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte should not be a surprise as she threatened members of his family.
Rep. Marcos said in an interview on Friday that it is only natural for him to be the first to sign the complaint.
READ: Rep. Marcos, key solons among VP Sara Duterte impeachment signatories
In October 2024, Duterte threatened to exhume the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
In November, Duterte said she contacted a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Marcos, and presidential cousin and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez if Duterte would be killed. This came after the House of Representatives committee on legislative franchises cited for contempt Office of the Vice President Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez and issued an order to detain her at the Correctional Institute for Women.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Duterte: I’ll throw Marcos Sr.’s body into West PH Sea if attacks continue
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“Now, as to why I was the first one to sign, would you not sign when the person said that she would dig up my grandfather’s grave and throw his body to the West Philippine Sea, and then she would say that she wants to kill the President and the first lady who are my parents, and the Speaker too? Why are the people surprised that I would sign that?” Rep. Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“You know, these are statements that can’t be taken lightly, especially from someone with such a high position. So I am surprised why people are shocked, should I not sign even if she threatened to dig up my grandfather? Of course, I’ll be the first one to sign. That should come as no surprise,” he added.
Rep. Marcos also clarified that he was not the one who spearheaded the movement to sign and endorse the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.
“Like what the President said, I think people give me too much credit. I was given the opportunity to sign, and I did sign, but I did not spearhead any movement or I did not try to convince anyone to sign. I think they did that on their own volition,” he explained.
Duterte’s threats to the first couple and Romualdez were among the grounds considered by the House for impeaching her last Wednesday. A total of 215 lawmakers signed the fourth complaint that day.
READ: Duterte’s threats, misuse of secret funds are grounds in 4th complaint
Under the 1987 Constitution, an impeachment complaint could be immediately forwarded to the Senate for trial if over one-third of all House members — 102 out of 306 — have signed and endorsed the petition.
READ: House impeaches VP Sara Duterte, fast-tracking transmittal to Senate
On Friday, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco revealed that the number of lawmakers backing Duterte’s impeachment is now at 240, after 25 more lawmakers signed and endorsed the complaint.
Velasco said the 25 lawmakers were unable to be physically present during the initial oath-taking and verification of the complaints last Wednesday due to commitments abroad or with their constituents.
He also said verified signatures were sent to the House so that they could formalize their support for Duterte’s impeachment.
