Zarate: Check if Duterte committed culpable violation of Constitution

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement to allow Chinese fishers in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) should be studied if it constitutes a “culpable violation” of the 1987 Constitution, a lawmaker said on Saturday.

“Siyempre pinag-aaralan ‘yan. It is easy to file [impeachment] pero ang sabi sa Constitution ay culpable violation. Hindi ordinary violation. Kailangan tingnan natin yung mga facts diyan,” Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Zarate said in a press conference in Quezon City on Saturday.

Quoting the 1987 Constitution, Zarate said for a government official to be impeached, there must be a culpable violation of the Charter such as committing bribery and a betrayal of public trust.

Zarate, however, disagreed with Duterte’s threat to jail those who will file impeachment complaints against him, noting that it is every citizen’s right to hold accountable their government officials.

“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.

Zarate also criticized Duterte for disagreeing on the use of the 1987 Constitution in asserting Philippines’ claims against China in the West Philippine Sea.

He noted that Duterte must “make a complete stand” to assert Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“Our officials has to make a complete stand, you cannot say that [Constitution] is just a piece of paper,” Zarate said. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

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