By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
On Wednesday, June 18, Malacañang called on the Senate to consider the potential impact of the delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on the Philippine economy.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is “alarming” that the business sector has already issued a warning that failure to uphold rule of law could affect investor confidence in the long term.
Castro said, “Mismong nasa business sector na po ang naaalarma sa nangyayari sa Senado patungkol po sa impeachment trial. At hindi po talaga nanaisin na makapag-invest, maaalerto po talaga ang mga investor natin kung may issue po at inaakusahan ang siyang lider ng korapsyon at mukhang nagkakampihan pa ng ibang senator-judges.”
She added, “So, nakakaalarma po ito dahil gumaganda po ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Taliwas po ito sa sinabi ng Bise Presidente na bagsak ang ekonomiya.”
The Palace press briefer said government efforts to improve the economy would just go to waste, if the inaction on Duterte’s impeachment complaint continues. She also said that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, must also take into account the investors’ concerns.
Castro said, maintaining that the executive branch would not meddle in the impeachment process: “Nakakapanghinayang po kung ang ekonomiya natin ay maaapektuhan ng dahil lamang po sa nangyayari sa Senado. So, ang panawagan lang din po natin sa Senado patungkol po sa impeachment trial, hindi naman po para pabilisin or manghimasok tayo sa ginagawang impeachment trial kundi sundin lamang po ang Constitution at ang rule of law.”
Earlier, the Makati Business Club urged the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty by proceeding with the impeachment trial.
Last week, Castro stressed the importance of lawmakers’ neutrality in handling the impeachment case of Duterte, as she cited her observation that some of the senator-judges had shown their “biases” when the Senate convened as an impeachment court. (PNA)
