Alvarez: No need to rush impeachment of ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — Despite strong and categorical pronouncements from President Duterte, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez doesn’t see any reason for the House to give special attention to a potential impeachment complaint filed against the ombudsman. 

“For me, I don’t consider it as pressure. I do not work for the President, I work for the Republic of the Philippines,” Alvarez told journalists yesterday. 

“Once somebody files, we have no choice but to process it,” he said, clarifying he does not want to pre-empt the filing of an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Morales, an appointee of former president Benigno Aquino III and whose term will expire in 2018, had recommended the filing of graft charges against Alvarez’s nemesis – Davao del Norte Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo – in record time of less than six months.

The Speaker said Duterte’s remarks that he would personally file the impeachment complaint against Morales should not be construed as pressure or a marching order from the Chief Executive.

Alvarez said he would process it as his “ministerial” duty should a complaint be formally filed.

He reminded journalists about the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said Duterte is entitled to file an impeachment complaint against Morales under the 1987 Constitution.

Like other impeachment complaints pending before the House committee on justice, Batocabe said lawmakers are mandated to look into these.

“Should it be endorsed by a member, we are duty bound to determine the sufficiency of form, then substance. Should it pass these tests, then the committee on justice will hear the same just like any impeachment complaint which passed these tests,” Batocabe explained.

Albano said there’s no law barring anyone from filing an impeachment complaint, including the President. 

Duterte lambasted Morales for pursuing the agency’s probe of the Chief Executive’s and his family’s bank transactions before he won the presidency in May 2016.

He said the left and the “yellows” have joined forces to oust him from power.