DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte denied that he has participation on the possible impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo.
“[I] never did anything and I won’t let do anything about it…I never lifted a finger with anybody. Tapos na ako diyan. I am beyond politics,” Duterte said when asked in a media interview on Sunday before he left for an official visit to Myanmar.
The President said that he would rather focus on his job to deliver his campaign promises specifically in addressing criminality, illegal drugs and corruption in the government even it would cost his life and presidency.
“I just want to focus on my job as a [President] which you have given me and may I reiterate that I will comply my promises the basic things like for example corruption, drugs, and criminality. I will deliver on my promises. Listen to me even it would cost me; my life and honor and the presidency,” Duterte pointed out.
It can be recalled that House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has threatened to file an impeachment complaint against Robredo after a video has surfaced, criticizing the government’s bloody war on illegal drugs before the United Nations.
Alvarez said Robredo’s video message constitutes a “betrayal of public trust,” a view shared also by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
Calida, in a statement on Sunday, said that Robredo should be condemned for “slandering and selling out our country and its leaders before the UN Commission on Narcotics Drugs.”
“VP Robredo debased her office and herself by betraying the trust of our people. Worse, she shamelessly pandered to the desperate desire of Yellow Cult to depose President Duterte which, if successful, will immensely benefit her,” Calida said.
Calida also expressed support if Alvarez would initiate the impeachment complaint against Robredo.
“Obviously, the carping VP Robredo has joined the ranks of the destabilizers. Unfortunately for her, she will reap the people’s wrath and contempt for her treasonous act. In the event that the Speaker will initiate the impeachment of VP Robredo, my office will gladly lend its legal services to such endeavor,” he said.
Meanwhile, Duterte said that he is not bothered about the impeachment complaint filed by Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano.
“I welcome both developments they can do their worse, I can do better in my performance as a worker in the government. This is a democracy,” the President said.
Alejano’s impeachment complaint alleged that the President is behind the infamous Davao death squad, the unabated extra-judicial killings in the wake of the government’s war on drugs including the P2.2 billion hidden wealth.
But Duterte vowed that his war on corruption, illegal drugs and criminality would resume amidst the barrage of criticisms from his critics and even facing the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The drive against corruption, the drive against criminality, and drugs will resume. And it will continue and it will brutal if they do not understand the role of the government. Suppression includes all. Kaya nga drop the shabu if you want to be alive, you don’t want trouble with the government, stop trafficking! I will not be for a moment be out of a focus on that,” Duterte said. (davaotoday.com)
