Alvarez mulls impeachment complaint vs VP Robredo

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday said he is studying the possibility of filing an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo, whom he tagged as one of the plotters behind the supposed attempts to destabilize the Duterte administration. (Photo: PTV/Facebook)

MANILA—House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday said he is studying the possibility of filing an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo, whom he tagged as one of the plotters behind the supposed attempts to destabilize the Duterte administration.

“Pinag-aaralan natin. Hindi naman ako sulong ng sulong. I have to make sure it can start trial,” Alvarez said in a TV interview.

Alvarez also said Robredo could be impeached on the ground of betrayal of public trust as Robredo sent a video message to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs where she criticized the conduct of the administration’s drug war.

Alvarez explained that the video message may create a negative perception of the Philippines before the international community, which could lead to dire economic consequences.

“Ang pananaw ko dito may betrayal of public trust. Kung ikaw ipagpalagay nating totoo ang pagkakahalal, sisiraan mo ang bayan sa international community ng walang pakundangan, economically may impact po yun,” he said.

“Pinipinta niya ang bayan natin na hindi maganda sa mata ng international community,” he added.

Earlier, Alvarez accused Robredo for having a hand in the first impeach move against the President.

On Thursday, Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte before the Office of Secretary General at the House of Representatives, the first ouster move since Duterte’s assumption to office as President.

Alejano cited five grounds for Duterte’s impeachment including violation of constitution, bribery, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.