Congress to discuss impeachment complaint against Duterte

(Photo: Filipino Community/Facebook.com)

Members of the Congress will discuss the impeachment complaint filed against President Rodrigo on May 15.

House Justice Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali stated that the impeachment complaint was already referred to his committee in order to look into the complaint and determine if it is sufficient in form and in substance.

Umali also clarified over a dzMM interview that as of the moment, there are still no standing impeachment complaints against Vice President Leni Robredo and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Umali said that although there is an actual complaint against Robredo, it hasn’t been endorsed yet which means it cannot be received by the House of the Secretary General or be forwarded to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Meanwhile the one against Morales is yet to be considered.

For Ako Bicol Representative and Justice Committee Member Rodel Batocabe, the impeachment filed by Alejano will not survive the Congress and that it 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.

Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano had previously filed an impeachment complaint against President Duterte, accusing him of amassing ill-gotten wealth from public funds and as a the perpetrator of extrajudicial killings under his campaign against illegal drugs.
The President has denied all allegations.