MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has refused to dwell on suggestions that she can be impeached for supporting a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted resolution seeking a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Philippines.
Robredo, on the sidelines of an Angat Buhay program in Panglao, Bohol on Tuesday, initially just laughed off requests for her comment on the belief of Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna that she could be impeached for expressing her support to the Iceland resolution.
But due to reporters’ insistence, Robredo eventually gave her reaction on the matter – no comment because “it is not important.”
“Hindi na. Hindi ko na iyon ko-comment-an kasi wala namang – hindi naman siya mahalaga,” Robredo said.
(No comment. I won’t give comment on it because there’s nothing – it’s not important.)
Previously, Luna said: “Vice President Robredo’s expression of support to the UNHRC resolution against the Philippine government may cause her to be impeached.”
the Vice President could be impeached by backing the Iceland resolution, which was approved by 18 out of 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The Iceland resolution calls for greater scrutiny of the Philippines’ human rights situation, including the war against illegal drugs, which started upon the assumption of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. Government data said that over 6,000 drug suspects have been killed in legitimate anti-drug operations, but critics claim that the number could be higher.
READ: Greater scrutiny on PH killings gets UN rights council’s nod
The UNHRC on July 11 approved the resolution with 18 of its 47 members voting for its adoption. Fifteen states abstained while 14 voted no.
Malacañang, however, distanced itself from the PACC official’s statement, saying they “have better things to do.”
READ: Palace on Robredo impeachment: ‘We have better things to do’
“You know, we have better things to do. There are so many problems in this country. I will leave it to those who would want to initiate whatever they want to initiate against whomsoever,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Meanwhile, lawmakers said that while chances of an impeachment complaint prospering in the House is bleak, the case of former Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno should be an example.
“But you know, you can never say (anything) for sure dito sa House. Alam mo naman sa 17th Congress, ‘yong impeachment complaint kay Chief Justice Sereno ay na-file dito, para sa isang fishing expedition,” Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said Tuesday.
“Alam mo naman ‘yan, while impeachment is an accountability mechanism, it is also a political process. So dahil political process ‘yan, kung sino ang may control ng House […] ay pwede nilang gawin,” he added.
Earlier, Robredo’s spokesperson lawyer Barry Gutierrez said they won’t back down from such measures, especially since she supposedly has done nothing wrong.
“Paulit-ulit na ring sinabi ni VP Leni: ‘Kung gusto ninyo mag-file ng impeachment, sige lang. Handa akong harapin iyan.’ ‘Di ba? Dahil naka-angkla iyan sa Konstitusyon,” Gutierrez said Sunday.
READ: Robredo won’t back down from impeachment threats – spokesperson
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