Marcos Says He Would Appear at Own Impeachment Trial

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday that he would insist on appearing before an impeachment court if he were the one facing trial. Marcos made the remarks during a news conference in Vancouver after an official visit. He said appearing in person would make it easier to address the allegations directly.

Background on the Trial The Senate is scheduled to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte within days. Duterte served as Marcos’ education secretary until her resignation in 2024. The two politicians ran together in the 2022 election.

Relations between their camps deteriorated after Duterte stated in a video conference that she had contacted an alleged assassin over reported threats to herself.

Marcos previously served as a senator-judge in the 2012 impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona. Corona attended that proceeding, which ended in his conviction and removal from office. Marcos voted not guilty in the Corona trial. He told reporters that while the decision to appear rests with the accused, direct testimony would help clarify the facts.

"It would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly," Marcos said.