THE Makati Business Club (MBC) is cautioning against the “unfettered” filing of impeachment cases against government officials, saying the impeachment process should not be used as a tool to silence opposition.
In a news statement released on Thursday, the MBC expressed “deep concern” on the spate of impeachment complaints against high-ranking government officials, indicating the series of filings is undermining the democratic principle of the process.
“We believe that the impeachment process engraved in the Constitution must not be invoked arbitrarily to persecute and silence individuals with opposing views nor to undermine independent institutions, the bulwark of our nation’s democracy,” the business group said.
On Wednesday the House of Representatives Justice Committee found the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Larry G. Gadon against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes A. Sereno as sufficient in form and substance. This is one of two complaints filed against Sereno.
Earlier in the year, the same panel in the Lower House junked two impeachment complaints filed against President Duterte by Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo.
Last month impeachment raps were also filed by former Rep. Jacinto Paras of Negros Oriental against Commission on Elections Chairman Andres D. Bautista, citing his alleged failure to disclose his bank accounts, investments and properties in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) is said to be keen on filing an impeachment complaint as well against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales next week.
The free-wheeling filing of impeachment complaints may not only shift focus on a reform-oriented legislative agenda, but may serve to dampen foreign investors’ sentiment in the country, as well, the business group noted.
“Undoubtedly, impeachment cases will also negatively affect investors’ perception to the economic and political stability of our country. As such, we respectfully remind Congress to be judicious in applying this ultimate accountability tool and to treat this as a weapon of last resort, as our Constitution intends it to be,” the MBC statement read.