Bataan prelate to Filipinos: Give top leaders chance to prove themselves in serving the country

MANILA–A Catholic prelate on Tuesday urged people especially critics to give President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo a chance to prove themselves as both are just only close to one year in office.

Balanga Bishop Rupert Santos said Filipinos should first let the country’s top leaders do their job and find ways to better serve the country.

“Our President and Vice President are just one year in the office. We should just let them do their works. And also let us see how can we all, Filipinos, contribute and collaborate to improve and uplift our country,” he said.

Santos made the statement amid plans to oust Duterte and Robredo due to various allegations, noting that the this move will not help the country.

“Impeachment whether of the President or Vice President will never be productive for us Filipinos. It divides us and impedes the lawmakers what from they must do for our country,” he said.

The Bataan prelate added, “Our country has more serious problems to attend to. Our people has suffered much, and suffering. Let them focus and work on these.”

On Monday, the House of Representatives dismissed the impeachment complaint filed against Duterte by Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano.

The House justice committee declared it insufficient in substance on the ground that the complainant does not have personal knowledge of the allegations in the complaint.

Earlier, the group ‘Impeach Leni Movement’ said they are looking to file an impeachment case against the Vice President.

Duterte and Robredo officially assumed their respective posts on June 30, 2016, after winning in the May 2016 national and local polls.