VANCOUVER, Canada — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) said that it would be better for Vice President Sara Duterte to attend her impeachment trial "to get to the bottom of everything."
Marcos issued the statement after the Senate impeachment court summoned Duterte to appear for the start of the trial on Monday, July 6.
"Well, my only experience in an impeachment trial was when I was senator of the Corona trial. And it's really up to the accused whether or not they feel the need to appear.
I guess the lawyers on the defense side will give their advice. It's not for me to say one way or the other," Marcos said during a press conference here.
"But, of course, it would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly. And the accused can answer directly, not through secondary channels, not through the lawyers," he added.
But the President said it was just his own opinion and not a legal opinion.
"I'm just trying to put myself in that position. I would probably, myself, if it was me being accused, I would almost insist over the advice of lawyers, if they advise me not to appear, I would insist on appearing," he said.