Palace trusts Congress to do what’s right

From RTVMalacanang Youtube account

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday said it trusted congressmen to decide on what must be done with the impeachment complaints filed against President Benigno Aquino III although it admitted that the decision of the lawmakers would ultimately be a numbers game.

“Hindi maikakaila na mahalaga ang numero dito dahil sa kahuli-hulihan magbobotahan kung maipapasa o hindi ang impeachment ngunit naniniwala pa rin kami na katotohanan, katuwiran at kapakanan ng mga mamamayan ang dapat pairalin,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters in a briefing at the Palace.

(We cannot deny that what is important here is numbers because ultimately, the representatives will vote on whether an impeachment complaint should be approved but we believe that the truth, justice and the welfare of the people should be prioritized.)

Asked if Malacañang was bothered by the increasing number of impeachment complaints being filed, Coloma said, “No.”

Coloma was reacting to the two impeachment complaints filed against the President questioning the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) this week at the House of Representatives packed with Aquino allies.

He said they trusted the people’s representatives to do what was right.

Bayan Muna and Anakpawis representatives on Monday endorsed the complaint filed by 28 petitioners, from various people’s organizations and civil society groups, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

On Tuesday morning, a similar complaint filed by youth groups was endorsed by Kabataan Representative Terry Ridon.

The Secretary refused, however, to comment on the basis of the complaints, which tackled the DAP, saying the issue has now entered the political arena where legislators, as opposed to justices, will have the last say.

He said Malacañang will have to read the complaints to get to understand its context.

Nevertheless, he reiterated his earlier stand that any complaint based on the Supreme Court’s decision on the DAP would be “premature or unwarranted” because the case is still under reconsideration.

Coloma insisted that the DAP was implemented for the benefit of the public and that the Executive is asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its interpretation of the law.

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