Fariñas grills Alejano over ‘personal knowledge’ in Duterte impeach rap

The impeachment rap filed against President Rodrigo Duterte started Monday with complainant Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano being questioned over “personal knowledge” in allegations he made.

As the House committee on Justice began determining the complaint’s sufficiency in form, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas grilled Alejano on the points raised in the complaint, starting with the spate of alleged extrajudicial killings.

“You took it upon yourself to state under oath that you have personal knowledge on this, but now you’re saying hindi pala,” Fariñas said.

NOW HAPPENING: House justice comm hearing on the impeachment complaint filed vs. President Duterte. pic.twitter.com/hso6eimqjb

— Aica Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) May 15, 2017

Alejano repeatedly asked to be allowed to deliver an opening statement, which Fariñas and House justice committee chair Rey Umali shot down.

After a tussle over rules, the lawmaker was allowed to explain his responses, provided that he categorically answered the questions first.

On March 16, Alejano filed with the Office of the Secretary General at the House of Representatives an impeachment complaint against Duterte.

Alejano, in his 16-page complaint, cited the following as grounds for Duterte's impeachment:

• Culpable violation of the Constitution
• Engaging in bribery
• Betrayal of public trust
• Graft and corruption
• Other high crimes

—KG, GMA News