Sandro Marcos reveals why he was first to sign Sara Duterte's impeachment
Ilocos Norte Representative and presidential son Sandro Marcos said that the public shouldn't be surprised to find out that he was the first one to sign the impeachment complaint of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview with reporters, Sandro defended his decision to support Duterte's removal as the second highest official in the country, sharing that he sought the advice of his father, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
"Nung nagpirmahan na sa impeachment complaint ay tinanong ko siya kung ano ba ang advice niya. And tama naman yung sinabi niya. He said, 'Do your duty as a congressman and uphold your oath to the Constitution that you swore to protect,'" he said.
"It is my constitutional duty to go through the impeachment process as an elected representative," he added.
As to why he was the first one to affix his signature, Marcos pointed out Duterte's threats against his family, including an assassination remark against his father if she were killed. He also recounted a statement she made about exhuming the remains of his grandfather, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and scattering them at sea.
"Alangan naman kung sasabihin ng tao na gusto silang hukayin yung lolo mo at itapon ‘yung katawan sa West Philippine Sea, sasabihin niya gusto niyang patayin ang Pangulo at ang First Lady, na aking mga magulang, at gusto niyang patayin ang Speaker, eh bakit naman nagugulat ang tao na pipirma ko diyan?" Marcos said.
"These are statements that can't be taken lightly, especially from someone with such a high position. So nagtataka lang ako bakit nagulat 'yung mga tao. Of course, I'll be the first one to sign. That should come as no surprise," he added.
However, he denied the claims that he was the one who spearheaded the fourth impeachment rap against Duterte.
"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 and I did not try to convince anyone to sign. I think they did that on their own volition," Sandro said.
"I did ask what their opinions were and if they were going to sign or not, but that's about as far as [it goes] as to my involvement in collecting the signatures," he added.
He also regarded claims that the congressmen were "bribed" to sign the impeachment complaint as "fake news" spread by supporters of the Duterte family.
Duterte was impeached by a total of 215 members of the House of Representatives on Feb. 5. However, 30 more lawmakers added their signatures to the complaint, increasing the number to 245.
The total membership of the House is 306, which means that at least 102 signatures, or one-third of the lower legislative chamber, are needed for the case to go up to the Senate for trial.
It will now go up to the Senate for trial. In the 24-seat Senate, it needs at least 16 or a two-thirds vote to remove her from office.
Duterte meanwhile appeared to be unbothered by her impeachment case. In her recent press conference, she said that it "hurts more" to be broken up with than to be impeached by the House.
