Alejano beefs up impeachment bid

AN OPPOSITION lawmaker filed supplementary charges on Thursday to his impeachment complaint filed two weeks ago against President Rodrigo R. Duterte, accusing him of taking a “defeatist stance” by doing nothing to challenge Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea.

Magdalo Party- list Rep. Gary C. Alejano said Mr. Duterte had made a slew of remarks that proved he had no intention to protect Philippine sovereignty and had alienated key allies like the United States through “rants and unstoppable outbursts.”

The 12-page supplemental complaint adds to a laundry list of what Mr. Alejano says are impeachable offenses that amount to high crimes, abuse of power and betrayal of public trust.

Copies of the complaint were also e-mailed to Senate reporters by the office of Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, Mr. Alejano’s ally and fellow mutineer during the Arroyo administration.

In a press conference after the filing of the supplemental impeachment complaint, Mr. Alejano pointed out the Philippines need not go to war to assert its maritime rights: “Nais ko lang ulitin na hindi giyera ang tanging kaparaanan upang i- assert ang ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea.”

He added: “Marami pang non-military options kung gugustuhin ng Pangulo (There are many non-military options for the President if he so wants them).”

Mr. Alejano submitted his initial complaint just as Congress went into a recess, a move aimed at keeping it in the public spotlight and preventing Congress from dismissing it right away. It reconvenes on May 2.

Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said Mr. Alejano’s additional complaint was “nonsense propaganda and publicity,” and part of a coordinated conspiracy by Mr. Duterte’s opponents.

“It may even be deemed to be a second impeachment complaint which is a prohibited complaint under the one-year prohibition limiting the filing to only one complaint in a year,” Mr. Panelo said in a statement.

Mr. Alejano also said Mr. Duterte had failed to act on a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration last year that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim to most of the South China Sea, its justification for building man-made islands in Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

The criticism comes as Mr. Duterte intensifies his charm offensive to encourage China to invest billions of dollars in the Philippines.

China and the Philippines are set to discuss their maritime issues in May, as reported on Wednesday and as confirmed by both the foreign affairs departments of the two countries.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles C. Jose when sought for comment said in a text message: “The idea to have bilateral consultation mechanism was agreed upon during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s state visit to China last October. China offered to host the first meeting between the two foreign ministries.” — main report by Reuters, with

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