Marcos stance on Duterte impeachment ‘unchanged’ amid Enrile’s remarks ~ HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS

Friday, January 17, 2025

Marcos stance on Duterte impeachment ‘unchanged’ amid Enrile’s remarks

Friday, January 17, 2025 Herbert Curia - Promoter No comments

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links: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2025329/marcos-stance-on-duterte-impeachment-unchanged-amid-enriles-remarks#ixzz8xULjNyxV

Marcos stance on Duterte impeachment ‘unchanged’ amid Enrile’s remarks

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance on the impeachment issue of Vice President Sara Duterte “remains unchanged,” despite warnings from the chief presidential legal counsel that Filipinos could face a “very detrimental precedent” if the logic implied in a recent rally is followed.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) peace rally, held last Monday, was organized to express support for Marcos’ rejection of impeachment efforts against Duterte.

Juan Ponce Enrile made a Facebook post questioning whether the INC could override constitutional processes, asking, “Can the INC, with all its members, amend the Constitution or suspend any of its provisions? Are we prepared to discard or sacrifice the value of the rule of law for a person or a group of persons?”

In response to Enrile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized Marcos’ commitment to fostering open discussion within his administration. He said, “In this way, policymaking is enriched by diverse views, resulting in decisions distilled from a wealth of varied experiences, different disciplines, and special expertise of those who contribute.”

“While his (Enrile’s) thoughts may carry weight and are always valued, his is one of many that the President seriously considers,” Bersamin continued.

“Nonetheless, the President’s stand on the issue concerned remains unchanged,” Bersamin added.

In his post, Enrile emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism for removing a government official and does not equate to imprisonment. “As a nation and a state, we will incur a very detrimental precedent if we follow the logic implicit in the INC rally that they mounted. Are we prepared and ready to face the long-term consequences of that INC move?” he said.

The rally was attended by more than a million members of the INC.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, in an interview, asserted that the event was not political.