Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Thursday distanced himself from the impeachment of his estranged Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the executive branch of government cannot have a hand in it.

MANILA – Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial will start when a new Congress convenes in July, Senate president Francis Escudero said, ruling out the chances of a special session while lawmakers are on election break.

The lower house in the Philippines impeached Vice President Sara Duterte Wednesday, accusing her of a wide range of crimes that included plotting to assassinate the president, large-scale corruption and failing to strongly denounce China’s aggressive actions against Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea.