Philippine parliamentary panel rejects impeachment move against Duterte

Manila, May 15 (IANS) A Philippine parliamentary panel on Monday rejected a proposal for an impeachment motion against President Rodrigo Duterte for his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings and other crimes.

The House of Representatives' Committee on Justice, which had 42 out of a possible 50 members present for the vote, unanimously ruled that there was insufficient substance for an impeachment motion against Duterte and said the proposal will be dismissed, Efe news reported.

The failed proposal, filed by legislator Gary Alejano, called for Duterte's impeachement for "culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, engaging in bribery and other crimes".

The alleged crimes listed in the petition include the creation of the Davao Death Squad by Duterte when he was Mayor of the southern city of Davao, as well as the more than 7,000 killings as part of his campaign against drugs.

It also accuses Duterte of signing secret agreements with China in the territorial disputes between both countries in South China Sea that are detrimental to the Philippines, and of having undeclared bank accounts.

The motion filed by Alejano, whose party comprises military officers who staged a failed coup in 2003, is the first attempt to start impeachment proceedings against Duterte since he assumed office at the end of June last year.

The committee members also questioned Alejano, who linked the President directly to the more than 7,000 killings as part of his war on drugs which Alejano and other critics of Duterte claim has created an atmosphere of impunity to kill alleged drug traffickers and addicts.

The result in favour of Duterte was widely expected as at least 267 out of the 292 members of parliament are allies of the President, who is also widely popular among Filipinos.