4 senators welcome Duterte’s call to ‘stop’ impeach bid vs. Robredo 

Four senators on Thursday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s plea to his allies to “stop” threatening Vice President Leni Robredo with impeachment.

Upon arriving from his trips in Myanmar and Thailand, Duterte said he himself would oppose impeachment plans against Robredo, telling his allies to “lay off.” 

In a text message, Senator Joel Villanueva said Duterte’s statement shows how he values the right to self-expression.

“I am glad that the President issued this statement. For him, VP Robredo just expressed her own opinion and impression of the current political and social state of our country with regard to our fight against illegal drugs,” Villanueva said.

“Freedom and democracy guarantee every individual's right to self expression. We must always protect our democratic space and I am happy that the President recognizes this,” the neophyte senator added. 

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of the President, said Duterte recognizes his role to unify the country to “move forward and progress.” 

“The impeachment exercise is such a divisive exercise within Congress and among our peoples. These types of reckless politics will not bring anything good for all of us,” Gatchalian pointed out. 

Senator JV Ejercito, for his part, said any impeachment moves both against Robredo and President Duterte would just cause “political instability.” 

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said: "I wish some of our other politicians have the same mentality as his."

Duterte is facing an impeachment complaint filed with the House of Representatives by Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano. House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, meanwhile, has threatened Robredo with impeachment.

“This [impeachment] is destructive for the economy. Impeachment processes are both destructive and divisive. Instead of pulling each other down, why don't we just work together, for the better?” Ejercito said in a statement. 

The Senate would have to convene as an impeachment tribunal if and when the House of Representatives approves the complaint filed against Duterte. — MDM, GMA News