Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte could be violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law if it is proven that he has a copy of the conversation of his political opponents provided by a foreign country.
“It seems that the President is allowing a foreign country to intervene with the communication of the Filipino people,” Alejano said in a press briefing. “That is a breach of security already in our country.”
“And if it is the President allowing this by publicly announcing that there is intercepted communication within the country, problematic ‘yun assuming it’s true… We have Anti-Wiretapping Law. And if he is allowing it, he is violating the law,” he added.
The opposition lawmaker also said this is an impeachable offense.
Alejano also dared the President to release to the public the evidence he has to back his accusation that the Magdalo group is conniving with the communists to oust him.
READ: No ouster move, say Trillanes, ‘plotters’
In a televised tête-à-tête with presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Tuesday, Duterte said he has a copy of the “conversation provided by a foreign country sympathetic to us” between the communists and the Magdalo group conspiring to oust him.
READ: Duterte: Reds, Magdalo, political rivals plotting to oust me
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque defended this remark, saying that there is nothing wrong with the sharing of information between countries.
READ: Sharing of intel info part of ‘diplomatic relations’ — Palace
Alejano, an ally of Magdalo lawmaker, Senator Antonio Trillanes, was also involved in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.
Duterte’s revelation of the alleged ouster plot against him supposedly led by the Liberal Party, Trillanes, and the communists came after he issued Proclamation 572.
The proclamation cited Trillanes’ failure to file an application for amnesty and admit his guilt over his involvement in the 2003 and 2007 foiled uprisings. /ee
READ: Arrest Trillanes–Duterte
READ: Alejano, Belmonte: Trillanes ‘singled out’ by admin in amnesty revocation
READ: Trillanes presents proof he applied for amnesty