MANILA – Bayan Muna party-list representative Carlos Zarate doubted if President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement allowing Chinese fishermen to trawl in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) could lead to his impeachment.
Zarate in Quezon City said it will be a long shot that any impeachment complaint against Duterte will prosper as he has the support of the majority of congressmen.
“It is easy to file an (impeachment), but will it rise to the level… kasi ang sinasabi sa Constitution ay culpable violation of the Constitution not just an ordinary violation,” Zarate said.
nasabi sa Constitution ay culpable violation of the Constitution not just an ordinary violation,” Zarate said.
“Will the statement of the President rise to a level that he can be impeached? That remains to be seen,” he added.
Duterte last week said Philippines cannot assert sovereignty over its EEZ and prohibit Chinese fishermen from exploring the territory because no country in the world has that right.
Former Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Albert Del Rosario said Duterte could be impeached for his statement, while Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Vice President Leni Robredo said Duterte’s statement was unconstitutional.
However, Zarate objected the President’s threat to jail his critics who will file an impeachment complaint for his controversial statements.
“I do not agree whether it is a joke or not ‘yung sinabi ni President Duterte na file kayo ng impeachment pakukulong ko kayo. Nasa Constitution ‘yan, if we want to hold officials accountable ay meron tayong process na dadaanan,” Zarate said.
“They should make a complete stand… not say it’s (Constitution) a useless piece of paper,” added Zarate./PN
