House to take up Rody impeach raps next week

MANILA, Philippines -  Allies of President Duterte will start discussing on May 15 the impeachment complaint filed against him by opposition Rep. Gary Alejano of party-list group Magdalo on allegations he had amassed ill-gotten wealth and ordered the killing of thousands as part of his war on drugs. The President has denied the allegations.

“The impeachment complaint has already been referred to my committee. We will start the hearings perhaps Monday or Tuesday next week, so that we can check whether it is sufficient in form and in substance,” Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House justice committee, said.

Rep. Rodel Batocabe of party-list group Ako Bicol, a justice committee member, said the Alejano complaint is headed for the graveyard.

“You don’t impeach a popular president. Besides, the mood in the House is against any impeachment process,” he said.

Umali also clarified over dzMM the impeachment complaints against Vice President Leni Robredo and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales have yet to be filed.

Umali noted the complaint against Robredo has no endorser yet, which means it cannot be accepted by the office of House secretary-general Cesar Pareja or forwarded to the office of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. The one against Morales is still being considered.   

Alvarez admitted the impeachment complaint against Robredo is now in his office. – With Jess Diaz