Efforts to impeach Rodrigo Duterte began in March 2017 when several opposition figures filed animpeachment complaint againstPhilippine PresidentRodrigo Duterte for his role in thewar on drugs and other issues.
On March 16, 2017, Gary Alejano, an opposition lawmaker, filed an impeachment complaint againstPhilippine PresidentRodrigo Duterte,[1] citing thousands of deaths in hiscrackdown on drug abuse and alleged corruption. TheHouse Justice Committee officially threw out the charge by unanimous vote.[2]
Later, Alejano added changes about his relations withChina, saying: "He utterly failed and/or refused to assert the country's exclusive sovereign rights and maritime rights and territorial claims overBenham Rise andPanatag (Scarborough) Shoal and the rest of theWest Philippine Sea (the government's designation for portions of the South China Sea)."[3][4]
In response to the allegations, Duterte sent thePhilippine Navy to occupy several "disputed" islands.[5][6]
In May 2018, formerSolicitor GeneralFlorin Hilbay asserted that Duterte may be impeached if he fails to protect the country's territory in the South China Sea.[7] This comment followed reports that theChinese Army had installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts also claimed byVietnam and the Philippines over the previous last 30 days. Duterte has been under harsh criticism for its ineffectual policy ofappeasement with theChinese government.[citation needed]
In response, Duterte claimed to the press thatChinese Communist Party leaderXi Jinping swore to protect him from moves that will result in his removal from office. "The assurances of Xi Jinping were very encouraging...'We will not allow you to be taken out from your office, and we will not allow the Philippines to go to the dogs,'" Duterte said.[8]
In July 2018, former Solicitor General Hilbay further explained that, in his legal opinion, Duterte's inaction may cause the Philippines to lose their legal claim due to thewaiver doctrine.[9] Such conduct would constitute a betrayal ofpublic trust, is ground for impeachment: "I'd say it's a culpable violation of the Constitution," Hilbay said. "There's no doubt in my mind as a constitutionalist, as the agent who served as counsel for the Republic, that these are clear betrayals of public trust."[9]
Following anincident at the Reed Bank in June 2019 wherein theF/B Gem-Ver, a boat carrying 22 Filipino fishermen sank after being rammed by a Chinese vessel,[10] the wife of its captain opined that she was in favor of impeaching Duterte for continuing to allow Chinese boats to fish in the area.[11] Similarly, fisherfolk group Pamalakaya also filed an impeachment case against Duterte.[12]
On 21 June 2019, Rhema International Livelihood Foundation, an alleged donor ofKapa Community Ministry International which was involved in anPonzi scheme, petitioned the Supreme Court to have Duterte submitted for impeachment proceedings in relation to his actions involving the shutting down of Kapa Community Ministry International. In addition, the petition urged the removal from office ofSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Emilio Aquino.[13]
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