MANILA, Philippines – The Partylist Coalition at the House of Representatives, composed of 44 congressmen, said they would not be backing any moves to impeach either President Rodrigo Duterte or Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
“We will not support any impeachment of the president or the vice president because it will be very unproductive. There are more pressing issues that would be derailed if we just focus our activities on the impeachment,” Coop-NATCCO partylist Rep. Anthony Bravo said in a news conference.
AKO Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said their members are “against any impeachment of any kind.”
“We are against any impeachment, we have a lot of work to do at the House,” he said.
Batocabe also said that the impeachment moves will not gain support from the public because both the President and the Vice President are popular figures.
“How can you oust a very popular president that enjoys 71% popularity rating? How can you oust a vice president who is also very popular and has the mandate of the people?” he said.
The impeachment complaint filed and endorsed by Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano against the President has been referred to the rules committee. When it reaches the justice committee, the panel members will decide if it is sufficient in form and in substance.
Two impeachment complaint are poised against Robredo, but both are not yet filed because they have no endorsers yet.
