Palace: Supplemental impeachment complaint just for media mileage

Malacanang remains unfazed by the supplemental impeachment complaint filed against President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Thursday, Secretary Ernesto Abella, presidential spokesman, described the move as a mere ploy to get media mileage for Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano.

“The supplemental impeachment complaint-affidavit filed by Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano against the President is unfounded, lacking both in form and substance; but more seriously it seems that this is part and parcel of his intention to run for the Senate to replace Senator Trillanes,” Abella said.

“The political tactic of filing an ‘incomplete’ impeachment complaint on the first day of recess of the HoR then to ‘supplement’ it on a different day seems geared towards providing media mileage for the proponent,” he added.

On Thursday morning, Alejano filed a supplemental impeachment complaint against Duterte in connection with his foreign policy over the West Philippine Sea, Panatag Shoal, and the Benham Rise.

The lawmaker said Duterte could be impeached for betrayal of public trust and culpable violations of the Constitution for his alleged secret deals with China.

“The President is the chief architect of the nation’s foreign policy and under his leadership, we strive to safeguard the national interest, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Abella said. “On the issue of Benham Rise, Scarborough Shoal, and the disputed features in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines will continuously uphold and assert our rights.” /atm