Manila: President Rodrigo Duterte has said he does not support the filing of impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Leni Robredo, adding her criticism of his campaign against illegal drug trade at the United Nations symbolised Philippine democracy.
“Look, we just had an election [in May 2016]. Guys, lay off. Stop it,” Duterte said as he arrived at the international airport of Davao City, southern Philippines.
“She was an elected official. So why do you have to [impeach her?]. Is it just because she keeps on harping on me? Let her be. It’s a democracy. Freedom of speech,” said Duterte.
In response, Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III also said plans to impeach Robredo would be “divisive and time-consuming.”
“It distracts from other important work. It should be resorted to as the last resort against an erring high official for serious and grave reasons. It should not be treated lightly,” Pimentel said.
But on March 20, Pimentel defended House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who said he had plans to file an impeachment complaint against Robredo.
At the time, Pimental said, “She threw the first punch. The House Speaker just reacted. He has the numbers [at the lower house of Congress]. A sleeping giant was awakened,”
“It was a reaction. Someone filed [an impeachment complaint] against our party chairman,” said Pimentel, referring to Duterte who heads the administration PDP Laban.
Alvarez has not yet given his reaction.
“I am glad that the President issued this statement,” said Senator Joel Villanueva of the Liberal Party (LP), Robredo’s ally. “We must always protect our democratic space and I am happy that the President recognises this,” he added.
“It shows that President Duterte respects the mandate given by the people as well. He is a statesman,” said Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito. His political party is allied with Duterte’s PDP Laban.
In a video she sent to the United Nations recently, Robredo criticised Duterte for his war against drugs which has killed 8,000 since July. The police claimed responsibility for 2,500 killings and blamed drug syndicates for the rest of the fatalities.
Senator Leila de Lima of LP was arrested and incarcerated because of her alleged participation in promoting illegal drug trade of convicted local and international drug lords at the National Penitentiary from 2010 to 2016, when she was justice secretary. She was the highest government official implicated in illegal drug trade.
Impeachment complaint versus Duterte was filed recently at the House of Representatives because of his bloody anti-drug campaign. But the opposition does not have the numbers to oust Duterte at the lower and upper houses of Congress.
Duterte has warned of narco-politics in the Philippines, adding that lawmakers, local government officials, and top ranking policemen have been protecting drug lords. Illegal drug trade has reached $4.3 billion a year in 2013, authorities said.
