Stop impeach rap vs Leni: Duterte

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte sees no need to remove Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo from office, even after the two have apparent growing tensions due to different political views.

Duterte, at early Thursday morning’s

interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City after his Myanmar and Thailand trips, told those who are attempting to oust Robredo to “lay off” and instead respect the Filipino electorate’s decision to elect her as the country’s vice president.

He said Robredo’s opposing remarks against him was not a basis for her impeachment because she should be given the right to exercise freedom of speech.

“Look, you know, we just had an election. Guys, lay off, let’s stop it. Then do other things but do not tinker with the structure of the government. I will not continence it,” Duterte said.

“She is elected so why do you have to [impeach her]? Is it because just because she keeps on harping on me? Let her be. This is democracy. Freedom of speech. There is no or there are no covert acts committed [by her],” he added.

Duterte’s statement came after he slammed Robredo for being “in a hurry to become president” even though she has not proven anything yet.

Two Marcos loyalists, lawyer Oliver Lozano and Melchor Chaves, filed Monday a draft impeachment complaint against Robredo at the House of Representatives, calling her “the termite of government.”

The filing of impeachment case against the Vice President came on the heels of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s plan to lodge same complaint against her. SunStar Philippines