Escudero reminds Duterte critics: Didn’t past admin impeach Chief Justice, Ombudsman too?

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday reminded President Rodrigo Duterte’s critics that the impeachment threats against the Ombudsman and Supreme Court (SC) chief justice were also done during the past Aquino administration.

“Doon sa nagsasabi na papunta na sa isang diktadurya si Pangulong Duterte dahil ginagawa niya sa Ombudsman at sa Chief Justice, again, baliktanawan natin ang ating kasaysayan, hindi ba’t ganyan eksakto din ang ginawa ng nakaraang administrasyon?” Escudero said in a media briefing.

“Tinakot ng impeachment ang dating Ombudsman, nag-resign na lang. In-impeach ang naka-upong chief justice, na-impeach,” Escudero said.

The senator was referring to former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who resigned from her post April 29, 2011, 10 days before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, was scheduled to start her trial. 

On May 2012, the impeachment tribunal convicted the late Chief Justice Renato Corona over his failure to fully disclose his wealth in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

Duterte, meanwhile, has said that he will personally file impeachment cases against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“Halos kung titignan niyo, parallel, pareho, parang kino-kopya yung sa nangyari sa ating kasaysayan na wala namang ganoong alegasyon tulad ng mga alegasyon ngayon na binabato sa administrasyon,” Escudero said.

Escudero noted that three incumbent senators were jailed during the past Aquino administration, while one – Senator Leila de Lima – remains in detention under the Duterte government.

Former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., and Jinggoy Estrada were detained over pork barrel charges.

De Lima, meanwhile, is presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center over her alleged involvement in the drug trade inside the national penitentiary when she was still Justice secretary.

“Mahirap magreklamo lalo na yung mga bahagi noong nakaraang administrasyon, lalo na ginawa din nila noong panahon nila yun,” Escudero said.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan earlier said that the impeachment complaint against Sereno appeared to be a warning to the SC.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/624137/kiko-thinks-impeach-rap-vs-sereno-a-warning-to-sc/story/

“Unless we act and defend our democracy and freedoms, we are well on our way to dictatorship,” Pangilinan, president of the former ruling Liberal Party, said last September 1. — MDM, GMA News