Zero chance of Rody impeachment – SB

MANILA, Philippines – Any impeachment move against president-elect Rodrigo Duterte in the 17th Congress will have zero chance of success, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday.

Belmonte, vice chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), was trying to douse speculations over brewing impeachment efforts against Duterte, saying such talk was divisive and harmful to the nation.

“Let’s face it, the chances of that (impeachment) are zero and nobody would even think of it. Let’s give the new president a chance to run the country without talk of impeachment or anything like that being uttered by anybody from any political party,” Belmonte told reporters.

He said he was not aware of the sources of reports on the issue.

As a witness to various impeachment processes, including those of former president Joseph Estrada in 2000, the late chief justice Renato Corona in December 2011 and former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez earlier that year, Belmonte said he can tell conditions for such ouster moves are not present in Duterte’s case.

“Definitely I don’t see any reason whatsoever for the president to fear this, or to even include it in his thinking,” he said.

For incoming senator Panfilo Lacson, Duterte would only have to deliver on his anti-crime and corruption promise to protect himself from any impeachment move.

“He will not be impeached as long as he delivers on his campaign promise to stop crime and corruption,” Lacson told The STAR.

He stressed Congress would, however, remain vigilant against possible excesses.

“Minor excesses here and there could be ignored, but if committed with impunity, Congress must provide the check and balance as it is mandated to do,” he added. 

Sen. Vicente Sotto III also said he doesn’t think Duterte can be impeached.

“That’s fine,” Sotto said in reaction to Duterte’s declaring he is ready to face any impeachment move. “I do not think he can be or will be impeached. He is a lawyer and a former prosecutor. I think he will act within the bounds of what is allowed by law.”

Belmonte, meanwhile, described as pure intrigue reports the LP is instigating such a move so that vice president-elect Leni Robredo, who is a party official, could replace Duterte.

“That’s a big nonsense,” Belmonte said.

Duterte’s PDP-Laban is now gaining control of the House even as the LP’s ranks in the chamber are dwindling because of defections.

He urged fellow lawmakers and the people to support the incoming Duterte administration as the nation faces serious challenges that must be tackled in unity.

“We should think positively as a people. Let’s look forward to having great achievements instead of talking about negative things like impeachment,” Belmonte said.

He also expects that Duterte and Robredo will have a good working relationship, or “we’re going to be the losers.”

Respect

The outgoing speaker also urged leaders of the PDP-Laban to treat the LP and other political parties with respect as the emerging dominant party tries to increase its ranks in the House of Representatives ahead of Congress opening on July 25.

Belmonte recalled that when he was elected Speaker in 2010, the party also saw its membership swelling as it was forming an administration coalition. But the LP undertook its House buildup without running roughshod over other parties.

“My policy then was to have a good relationship with your allies, treat them fairly, treat them equally and give recognition to them,” Belmonte said.

“That’s how I bonded with them rather than forcing them to join the party (LP),” he said.

He made the appeal as talks for an alliance between the PDP-Laban and the LP remain in limbo over the issue of numbers.

He said Davao del Norte representative-elect Pantaleon Alvarez, who is PDP-Laban secretary general and incoming speaker, wants the LP reduced to only 20 members before being allowed to join the majority coalition.

Over 70 LP lawmakers last month signed a manifesto in support of Alvarez and the Duterte administration. The LP members’ gesture meant they intended to join the majority by forging an alliance with PDP-Laban, the emerging ruling party.

Alvarez’s condition meant that many LP lawmakers would have to swear allegiance to the PDP-Laban if they wish to join the majority coalition. Otherwise, they will be part of the minority or opposition bloc.

The PDP-Laban had only three members in the House shortly after the elections. It aims to increase the number to over 100 followers. Sources said the new ruling party has so far over 80 members in its roster. Belmonte emphasized he could not allow the LP to be reduced to a small group.

Other parties like the Nacionalista Party (NP), Nationalist People’s Coalition  (NPC), the National Unity Party (NUP) and Lakas-CMD and the Party-List Coalition have already forged alliances with PDP-Laban.

The pacts meant the PDP-Laban couldn’t raid the allied parties’ ranks to increase its membership as it is doing now to the LP.

Alvarez has reportedly asked allied parties to stop raiding the LP for members to allow it to achieve its target membership.

Impact in first 100 days

Lacson, meanwhile, expressed belief Duterte can really make a dent on criminality – particularly drug-related offenses – in his first 100 days in office.

In a statement, Lacson cited significant strides made by law enforcers, particularly against the illegal drug trade, with suspected drug users and pushers turning themselves in to police weeks before Duterte formally assumes his post tomorrow.

“Even before president-elect Duterte formally assumes the presidency, we have seen how suspected drug users and pushers turned themselves in to police in past weeks out of fear,” said Lacson, former chief of the Philippine National Police during the Estrada administration.

“Never in the history of criminality in the Philippines have we seen drug users, pushers and the like surrender in this manner,” he added.

Lacson also expressed hope the incoming administration would be able to maintain such momentum and arrest or eliminate more pushers starting July 1.

“While it is impossible to eradicate crime, it is quite doable to greatly minimize it,” he added.

Lacson said he is hopeful Duterte will fulfill his campaign promise of tougher approach to fighting crime, with the help of incoming PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa.

He described Dela Rosa, who had worked under him in Task Group Mindanao of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, as a “doer and a performer who delivers.”

“It takes a lot of resolve, it takes a lot of will, it takes a lot of courage,” Lacson said, referring to the fight against crime.

Lacson, who is being eyed as chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs in the next Congress, admitted that the illegal drug trade is a major problem which has affected more than 90 percent of barangays in Metro Manila.

“We should all be hopeful. I hope president-elect Duterte and General Dela Rosa accomplish their mission against crime and drugs, for our and our future generation’s sake,” he said.