Duterte did not commit impeachable offense – Imee Marcos
MANILA, Philippines – Neophyte Senator Imee Marcos on Monday dismissed any impeachment bid against President Rodrigo Duterte, who she said has not committed an impeachable offense.
“Ay pasabog lang yang impeachment na yan. Wala namang impeachable offense (It’s just a distraction. There was no impeachable offense committed),” Marcos said in an interview in the Senate.
“Naku huwag na nating pag usapan yan dahil wala naman tayong nakikitang dahilan (Let’s not discuss that, I don’t see any reason),” she added.
Critics claimed Duterte may be impeached for allowing China to fish in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
READ: Duterte: It’s OK to let China fishermen in PH waters
To avoid an armed confrontation, Duterte said he agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 that Chinese fishermen may be granted access to the country’s EEZ in the West Philippine Sea.
Article continues after this advertisement“It was a mutual agreement. Let’s give way to each other. You fish there, I fish here,” Duterte said in a speech last week.
Article continues after this advertisementMarco said Duterte cannot be impeached simply based on his dialogues with other heads of states.
“Nakakatuwa naman pag pinagbawal yung pag uusap-usap ng mga heads of states (It would be funny if communicating with heads of state is prohibited),” she said.
“Talagang kinakailangang may dialogues, may constant multi-lateral and bilateral negotiations sa bawat sandali. Bakit naman ipagbabawal yung pagsasalita.”
She also cited the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s decision in July 2016 where it ruled that the Philippines has exclusive rights in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea
In the ruling, Marcos said the tribunal differentiated sovereignty from sovereign rights.
Unlike sovereignty, she said sovereign rights can be shared with others.
“We have the prerogative to share these (sovereign) rights with others pero hindi sya soberanya. So yun ang pinagkaiba. Sovereignty and sovereign rights need to be distinguished and what we exercise over the EEZ are sovereign rights,” Marcos pointed out. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)
