Sara Duterte's call for Marcos to resign 'self-serving,' says prosecutor
MANILA, Philippines — A House impeachment prosecutor branded Vice President Sara Duterte's call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign as "self-serving," pointing out that she would be next in line to the presidency if he steps down.
Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro party-list) said Duterte's supporters were free to demand Marcos' resignation, but questioned why the vice president herself was leading the call.
"Very self-serving 'yung panawagan ng Pangalawang Pangulo na magbitiw sa pwesto ang atin pong Pangulo," Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
The House prosecutor noted that under the Constitution, the vice president succeeds the president in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office or resignation.
"Dahil sa dulo't dulo, alam ng tao 'yon. Ang makikinabang 'pag nagbitiw ang Pangulo ay wala pong iba kundi ang pangalawang pangulo," Ridon said.
(At the end of the day, people know that. The person who would benefit if the president resigns is none other than the vice president.)
Ridon said Duterte should instead leave such calls to supporters and spokespersons.
"Sana pinabayaan na lang ho niya 'yung kanyang pong mga tagapagsalita, mga tagasuporta na ihayag po 'yung paninindigan na iyon imbes po na siya," he said.
He added that he could not recall a comparable instance during previous political crises, including EDSA 2 and the Duterte administration, when a sitting vice president personally called for the president's resignation.
Duterte on Friday called on Marcos to step down after appearing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, where her arraignment on three counts of grave threats was deferred.
"Patuloy tayong manawagan ng paglayas ng problema ng ating bayan na ang pangalan ay Bongbong Marcos. Resign! Umalis ka diyan!" Duterte told supporters.
She accused Marcos of corruption, abuse and political harassment, pointing to cases filed against her and members of her family.
Malacañang responded by questioning whether Duterte was eager to assume the presidency.
The resignation call marked a sharper turn in Duterte's attacks against Marcos.
In June, Duterte said she had no intention of using extra-constitutional means to overthrow the administration and added that she did not want to take Marcos' position.
Ridon is among the House prosecutors presenting the impeachment case against Duterte before the Senate impeachment court.
The prosecution earlier said it intends to call Duterte herself as a witness, arguing that doing so would give her an opportunity to answer allegations she has repeatedly dismissed as political harassment.
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