Impeach bids vs. Duterte, Robredo not good for the country, says Erap

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said Wednesday impeaching the country's top leaders will only do more harm than good.

Speaking to reporters, Estrada said he is hoping both impeachment bids – one for President Rodrigo Duterte and the other one for Vice President Leni Robredo – will not succeed.

"That will really delay the progress of our country," Estrada said, referring to the impeachment bids. "I hope it will not happen. Let's pray it'll not prosper."

"Whether against the president or vice president, hindi ako pabor. They are elected by the people. They're both in their first year in office. Why not give them a chance?" he added.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada says moves to unseat the country’s leaders (Duterte, Robredo) will not bring any good to the country. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/t4ts8ar7fc

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) March 22, 2017

Estrada, who was impeached by the House of Representatives over corruption allegations before he was removed from power in January 2001, said the country should rally behind Duterte so as not to disrupt the momentum in the fight against illegal drugs.

"Dapat suportahan na lang natin ang kasalukuyang Pangulo. Buti na lang meron tayong isang Pangulo na buo ang loob na labanan ang droga," he said.

He added the country is lucky to have a President like Duterte “who has that conviction and willing to risk his life" to eradicate the drug menace.

Duterte is facing an impeachment complaint filed by Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, who accused him of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

Robredo, meanwhile, is in hot water for her video message about the alleged irregularities in the government's anti-drug campaign addressed to the international community.

Duterte's staunch ally, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, said Robredo committed an impeachable offense for putting the country's image in bad light, saying this may cause negative impact on tourism and the economy in general.

Two losing senatorial aspirants Oliver Lozano and Melchor Chavez, both associated with the Marcos family, have endorsed to Alvarez an impeachment complaint against Robredo, also based on her video statement.

Estrada advised the camps of Duterte and Robredo to “talk and unite for the sake of the Filipino people.”

"It’s about time they should talk and unite. They’re both elected by the people and we should give them more time to serve the Filipinos instead of howling at each other," he said.

Robredo, the constitutional successor of Duterte, has been at odds with the President over several issues including the government's heavy handed approach to the war on drugs, possible restoration of the death penalty and lowering the age of criminal liability.

She served as Duterte's housing chief for five months before parting ways with the administration last December after being barred by the President from attending Cabinet meetings. —KBK, GMA News