MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte was not afraid of a possible impeachment complaint against him given the number of administration allies in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that any impeachment complaint against the President is expected to be headed to the dust bin with most of the members of Congress appreciate what the President is doing for the country.
“No, definitely. How can a President be scared with impeachment? An impeachment is a number’s game, eh super majority nga iyong sa Kongreso. Baka sa Committee of Justice eh wala na kaagad iyon,” said Panelo.
“Iyong members of Congress alam nila iyong ginagawa ni Presidente, hanga nga sila eh. Otherwise madali lang naman, alam mo naman ang mga pulitiko, pag ayaw nila ang isang tao, makikita mo kaagad eh sa lahat ng body language nila,” he added.
Duterte on Thursday threatened to send to jail those who will try to impeach him following his controversial remark allowing Chinese to fish in Philippine territory.
Panelo said Duterte was forced to issue such warning because the people cannot understand his policy on the West Philippine Sea.
“He was incensed because he cannot understand why these people who are against his policies… that what he is doing is for the good of the country. Papakamatay na nga iyong mama, hindi pa nila ma-appreciate, kaya siya inis na inis,” Panelo said.
The Palace official clarified that there are no grounds to impeach Duterte because he is protecting the marine resources of the country.
“Unang-una nakalagay doon, culpable violation. How can he even be violating? He’s even going beyond the provision. The provision says you protect the mineral, the maritime,” Panelo said.
“Ang ginagawa niya nga as he says it ‘ano ba kayo hindi lang nga iyon ang pinoproteksyunan ko, iyong buong Pilipinas nga eh, kasi hindi natin magagamit iyong gusto ninyong i-protect ko kung wala na tayong lahat,’ iyon ang punto niya,” added Panelo./PN
