Ever since President Duterte took office in June 2016, there have been talks of impeachment, particularly from people and certain groups who are against Duterte’s stance in the all-out war on drugs, among other things.
However, the alleged move may just be gaining traction through former junior rebel officer and now-congressman Gary Alejano of the Magdalo party-list group.
The Magdalo is a right-wing political party that represents the retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their families, as well as the urban poor and the youth of the House of Representatives.
Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Alejano would be filing the impeachment complaint to the House of the Representatives on Thursday, March 16. It was reported that Alejano would enact the move at ten in the morning.
Last Tuesday, March 14, Alejano (also known as a member of the opposition bloc called the “Magnificent 7”) revealed that the president may be impeached for ignoring the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Benham Rise to China, another country.
The congressman stated that Duterte might have violated the 1987 Constitution by refusing to take China to task for its recent invasions in Benham Rise, which is an underwater land mass that was declared by United Nations as part of the Philippines’ continental shelf in 2012.
Even though Benham Rise is not part of the country’s territory per se, the Philippines has the exclusive right to exploit and explore the natural resources found there. Other countries like China may only enjoy a right of “innocent passage” and freedom of navigation through these waters.
Alejano, who is also a former Marine captain, is closely associated with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. He has a history with him; specifically, planning to stage a coup attempt.
As stated by the 1987 Constitution, an impeachment may be filed by a House member or any other citizen with an endorsement of a House member. Once it is received, it should be referred to the proper committee, who will then determine if it is sufficient in form and substance.
Alejano strongly denounced the “intrusions in our sovereign territory” by the Chinese ships that have appeared in Benham Rise.
He cited Jay Batongbacal, who is the Director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea: “The region may not be ‘territory’ in the same sense as land territory, but it is definitely ‘territory’ for the purpose of Philippine laws and regulations over natural resources.”
“The 1987 Constitution considers as legally part of the National Territory all areas over which the Philippines has sovereign or jurisdiction; Benham Rise falls squarely within the definition,” he quoted.
What do you think about this issue? Do you agree that what Alejano did was right? Do you think President Duterte has the grounds for impeachment because of such an act?
SOURCE ► NC
