PBBM against VP impeachment but ‘seriously considers’ JPE stance

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Duterte is facing impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives for alleged violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder and malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes as grounds for impeachment. (File Photo: Office of the Vice President of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to the opinions of his Cabinet, including Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, when it comes to the impeachment of a public official, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Thursday.

Bersamin issued the statement, after Enrile warned against the implied logic of religious group Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) recent nationwide peace rally, which was held in support of Marcos’ opposition to the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a Facebook post, Enrile said the country may face a “very detrimental precedent,” if it follows the reasoning implied in the INC rally.

“There is a bigger question. Can the INC with all its members amend the Constitution or suspend any of its provisions? Are we prepared to discard or sacrifice the value of rule of law for a person or a group of persons?” Enrile said.

“Are we prepared and ready to face the long-term consequences of that INC move?” he further asked.

Enrile stressed that impeachment is “just a constitutional legal process” to remove a government official from office, if there is a ground and evidence to support it.

He added that the impeached official is “not going to jail by the mere fact of his impeachment.”

Bersamin said Marcos is still not in favor of Duterte’s impeachment, but “seriously considers” Enrile’s stance.

“The President has always nurtured a culture of open ventilation of ideas within the Cabinet. In this way, policymaking is enriched by diverse views resulting in decisions distilled from a wealth of varied experiences, different disciplines, and special expertise of those who contribute,” he said.

“It is in this spirit that Secretary Enrile came forward with his views. While his thoughts may carry weight and are always valued, his is one of many that the President seriously considers,” Bersamin added.

Duterte is facing impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives for alleged violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder and malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes as grounds for impeachment.

In November last year, Marcos said filing an impeachment complaint against Duterte will only distract the government from the real work of government “which is to improve the lives of all Filipinos.”

Marcos also believed that the move to impeach Duterte is just a waste of time, as “none of this will help improve a single Filipino life.”

Uphold integrity

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, an endorser of the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, urged the House of Representatives to uphold its integrity and move forward with the impeachment of the Vice President.

Cendaña made the call during the “Misa ng Sambayanan: May Kapayapaan kung May Katarungan” (Mass of the People: Peace Through Justice) attended by sectoral and religious groups at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Shrine Church on Thursday.

“Kung gusto natin ng kapayapaan, kailangan muna nating makamit ang hustisya” (If we want peace, we must first achieve justice),” Cendaña said.

Cendaña warned that inaction on the impeachment complaints not only delays justice but also allows Duterte to undermine the country’s laws.

“Ending impunity in the country should be the House leadership’s moral obligation,” Cendaña said.

Duterte earlier revealed she is “seriously considering” running for president in 2028.

“Our dilly-dallying over her impeachment has emboldened the Vice President to pursue the Presidency,” Cendaña said. “By sitting on the complaints, the Vice President is already winning.” (with Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)