Alvarez insists on separation of powers as he pushes for Leni impeachment

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday invoked the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches in proceeding with the impeachment of Vice President Leni Robredo.

This, despite the statement of President Duterte discouraging his allies from pursuing the impeachment of the vice president.

Alvarez in particular protested Robredo's statements criticizing the war on drugs before the United Nations, saying it may be a basis for her impeachment.

"Mayroon kaming mandato, although ginagalang ko yung statement ng ating Pangulo, pero alam nating lahat mayroon kaming mandato sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas na kung saan ay kami po ang may exclusive jurisdiction para po dinggin yung lahat ng inihain na impeachment against any impeachable official, at ito po ay gagampanan namin po," Alvarez told radio DZMM's Noli De Castro.

Asked about the President's position against Robredo's impeachment, he said,"Naririnig ko lang po yun doon sa mga press statement niya pero ito naman Kabayan, alam naman nating lahat na may separation of powers."

At the same time, he said the House will also tackle the impeachment complaint filed by Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano against the President over the extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs and allegations of corruption.

"Didinggin din namin yun, Kabayan. We have to process all impeachment cases. Wala tayong magagawa, Kabayan, may mandato ang Saligang Batas, mayroong nag-file ng impeachment, kailangan naming i-process," he said.

The Speaker also guaranteed that the impeachment complaints will not affect the legislative agenda of the House since priority bills can be farmed out to different committees.

"Madali po iyun Kabayan, dahil naman mayroon kaming mga independent committees na magdidinig ng mga panukalang batas na iyan," he said.

Source : ABS-CBN