By Brian Campued
Malacañang distanced itself from the impeachment complaint filed by a coalition of civil society organizations, religious groups, and sectoral representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement Tuesday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin asserted that the Office of the President “has nothing to do” with the said move.
“The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement the prerogative of any Member of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin said.
Bersamin also said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement on the matter is “unambiguous.”
In a media interview Friday, the Chief Executive reaffirmed his opposition to impeachment calls against Duterte, stressing that such a move “is not important.”
“This does not make any difference to even one single Filipino life. So, why waste time on this?” Marcos said.
“What will happen if somebody files an impeachment? It will tie down the House, it will tie down the Senate. It will just take up all our time and for what? For nothing, for nothing. None of this will help improve a single Filipino life,” the President added.
The impeachment rap filed on Monday was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña to the House of Representatives, citing culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes as grounds for impeachment.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said that the complaint would be referred to the appropriate House committee for assessment of its sufficiency in form and substance, assuring that the lower chamber would proceed with impartiality and respect for the rule of law.
“It is crucial to underscore that addressing an impeachment complaint is not a discretionary act for the House of Representatives but a constitutional obligation,” Velasco explained.
“We call on all parties to allow the legal process to take its course, ensuring that truth and justice prevail,” he added. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
