Lapid says he won’t back impeachment bid vs Aquino

Senator Lito Lapid. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines –Senator Lito Lapid, in a rare interview with reporters on Tuesday, backed President Benigno Aquino III, saying he will not support any impeachment move against him.

Asked if he still has full confidence in Aquino amid allegations that he had meddled in the impeachment case of then Chief justice Renato Corona, Lapid said: “Oo naman.”

And when asked about a possible impeachment move against the President, the senator said: “Huwag na, magkakagulo pa. Hintayin na lang natin syang matapos (No, it will just mess things up. Let’s just wait for his term to end).

But asked if he would support any such move, Lapid said: “Tingnan natin pero ako hindi ako susuporta sa impeachment sa kanya (Let’s see but I won’t support any impeachment move against him).”

He was reacting to Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s claim that the President, in a breakfast meeting in “Bahay Pangarap” in Malacanang, had asked him to convict Corona.

Revilla said it was Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who drove and brought him to Malacañang to meet the President. Revilla even described Roxas as “Pick-up Boy.”

But Lapid also came to the defense of Roxas.

He said it was normal for Roxas to invite and drive for his friends because he himself had been invited when they were together in the Senate.