Critics eye impeachment rap vs. Robredo

A group of lawyers who have been critical of Vice President Leni Robredo on social media on Thursday said they will submit an impeachment complaint against her. 

The group, called "Impeach Leni Team," said they are currently building up their case against the Vice President, notably over her controversial recorded speech, played at a side session organized in line with the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs annual meeting last week. 

"Leni Robredo has gone too far. The means in which she has conducted herself since assuming office has been inimical to the public interest, ruinous and prejudicial to the economy, eroded confidence in the legal system and government, and places the honor and dignity of the Filipino to naught," they said. 

Among those facing presser re: impeachment complaint vs. VP Robredo are her staunch critics online. pic.twitter.com/m4geh0zn9u

— Aica Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) March 23, 2017

The group includes lawyer Bruce Rivera, who used to represent Janet Lim-Napoles; political science professor Antonio Contreras, Atty. Tom Berenguer, Atty. Ahmed Paglinawan, and Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III was at the event to introduce the lawyers to the members of the media covering the press conference.

DILG asec Densing joins lawyers set to submit impeachment complaint vs. VP Leni Robredo. pic.twitter.com/0BYFHagEBX

— Aica Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) March 23, 2017

The group members said they are in talks with congressmen who may endorse the said complaint at the House of Representatives.

Reached for her comments, Robredo said she hopes hatred won't get in the way of more important things.

"Hindi naman natin mape-prevent ang mga tao na mag-file kung anong gusto nilang i-file," Robredo said. "Pero ang sa akin lang, sana ‘yung hatred, ‘yung hatred hindi siya… will not get in the way of the more important things. Parang ngayon kasi ‘yun ang nangyayari." 

'Stop it'

The group announced its plan hours after President Rodrigo Duterte defended Robredo and told those behind impeachment moves to "stop it."

"Look. We just had an election. Guys, lay off. Stop it. You can do other things, but do not tinker with the structure of government. I will not countenance it. Elected iyong tao eh," he said in a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after arriving from his trips in Myanmar and Thailand.

"So, why do you have to? Just because she keeps harping on me? Hayaan mo. This is a democracy. It's freedom of speech. Wala naman—there are no overt acts," he added.

Rivera, however, said they are doing this not for Duterte but for the Filipino people.

Rivera on Duterte telling VP Robredo impeachment seekers to "lay it off": We're not doing this for the President but for Filipino people.

— Aica Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) March 23, 2017

 —KG/RSJ, GMA News