MBC hopes impeachment trial over by year-end

MANILA, Philippines — Business group Makati Business Club (MBC) has expressed support for concluding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte within the year to allow the Senate to thoroughly review the budget that will support economic growth next year.

Edgar Chua, chairman of the MBC, told reporters that the group is hopeful the impeachment trial would not drag on to 2027.

“It’s a distraction. Our Senate should be doing a lot like the budget,” he said.

He said the Senate should review the proposed 2027 budget passed by the House of Representatives, citing concerns on realigned funds from education, health and transportation toward short-term social assistance.

“That’s wrong because that’s patronage politics,” he said.

He also said that more funds are needed to support the education, health and transportation sectors.

While MBC wants the impeachment proceedings to wrap up within the year, the group also wants to ensure it is done fairly.

With less than two years left in the current administration, he said that the 2027 budget would play a critical role in driving meaningful economic growth, hence the need to closely monitor how it will be spent.

Economic growth slowed to 2.3 percent in the second quarter, the weakest in five years.

From January to June, average economic growth was at 2.6 percent, below the government’s 3.5 to 4.5 percent growth target.

While the country’s slower economic growth is attributed to the Middle East crisis and high cost of goods, Chua said that the slower government spending is also a factor.

The tighter screening of infrastructure projects following the flood control controversy last year has led to slower government infrastructure spending.

“A big component of economic growth is government spending,” Chua said.

While infrastructure spending needs to accelerate, he also said this should be done right.

Presently, the Senate impeachment court is on break as senators focus on deliberations of the proposed 2027 budget. It will resume proceedings on Nov. 9.