Gadon admission of impeachment plan vs Robredo ‘political harassment’—spox
MANILA, Philippines – Revelations from lawyer Larry Gadon that sedition raps against Vice President Leni Robredo may transition into impeachment complaints is a clear case of political harassment, lawyer Barry Gutierrez said on Thursday.
“This is a clear case of political harassment, this morning nakita ko sa balita na ‘yong lawyer ni (Peter) Advincula, si Gadon, said that if the process will result in the filing of charges, mau-uwi raw sa impeachment,” Gutierrez, who is Robredo’s spokesperson, said in a press conference in Quezon City.
“So I think this is a clear indicator kung ano ba talaga ‘yong agenda dito. Hindi ito criminal case na ordinaryo, hindi ito batay sa isang maayos na imbestigasyon, ito ay clearly politically motivated,” he added.
Earlier, Gadon said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel that the next step after Robredo’s possible indictment is to push for impeachment proceedings against her.
READ: Bikoy’s lawyer mulling impeachment rap vs Robredo
Article continues after this advertisement“That is one of the directions we may take. If Mrs. Robredo is indicted then that would be the next step – the impeachment proceedings against her,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“That’s the plan, but that’s my plan only. Hindi naman involved dito yung OSG (Office of the Solicitor General),” he added.
Political experts believe that while impeachment is a way to check high-ranking officials, it is also a political exercise as it requires the votes of elected personalities which may be allied or opposed to a certain political cause.
READ: Impeachment proceedings are a political exercise | Impeachment as a political process
Gutierrez said that these statements from Gadon deviate from the previous statements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), who insisted that there is nothing irregular and political in suing Robredo and key critics of the administration.
“Kasi last week no’ng finile itong referral na ito, they were all saying na ‘hindi, batay lang ito ‘don sa mga ni-reveal ni Mr. Advincula, batay ito sa ordinary process, dadaan sa imbestigasyon, the DOJ will be impartial’,” Gutierrez noted.
“But this morning the lawyer of the principal witness, siya lang ang nag-open ng impeachment. So obviously, it’s something na nakaka-gulat at this point, in terms of admission, pero tingin ko very revealing ‘yon kung ano ba talaga ‘yong agenda nila dito, especially given the very weak basis,” he added.
Last July 18, PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) wing filed criminal raps against Robredo and 35 other individuals composed of former and incumbent senators, ex-political candidates, lawyers, and members of the clergy. This was for their alleged role in the release of Ang Totoong Narcolist videos.
The complaints banked on an affidavit from Peter Joemel Advincula, the man supposedly behind the video series accusing President Rodrigo Duterte’s family and allies of involvement in the drug trade.
Last May 23, Advincula appeared in a press briefing at Camp Crame, weeks after hiding, to reveal that the opposition was hatching a plan called Project Sodoma, which seeks to oust Duterte and install Robredo as President.
READ: Sedition case filed vs Robredo, 35 others over ‘Bikoy’ videos
Robredo has laughed off these accusations, saying that she is not stupid enough to overthrow Duterte, who enjoys high popularity. /je
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