Ottawa: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday stated that it would be "much easier" for Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to address the Senate impeachment court directly regarding the allegations against her. He expressed his personal opinion that if he were in Duterte's position, he would insist on attending the impeachment trial to provide direct responses.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the benefits of direct communication in legal proceedings, suggesting that speaking directly with the accused would facilitate a clearer understanding. He stated, "Of course, it would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly, if the accused can answer directly, not through secondary channels, not through the lawyers." These comments followed his four-day official visit to Canada.

In a notice dated July 2 and signed by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, the Senate impeachment court summoned Duterte to appear at the trial's commencement on July 6, either personally or through her legal counsel. Duterte is facing four articles of impeachment, including allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education officials, and grave threats against President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, during a media interview at the Sutton Place Hotel on Friday, suggested that Duterte should seize the impeachment trial as an opportunity to clear her name.