Leni will benefit if DU30 quits -- solon

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker yesterday warned the challenge of President Rodrigo Duterte to Chief Justice Ma.
Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to resign with him will benefit the sitting Vice
President.

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe appealed to President Duterte not to resign and
instead just let Sereno and Morales be removed through the impeachment process.
   
In a weekly press briefing at the House of Representatives, Batocabe said once these three
highest officials of the land resign, under the Constitution Duterte will be succeeded by Vice
President Leni Robredo.
   
“Lahat naman puwedeng mag-resign kung gusto nila. Kung mag-resign ang Pangulo at tanggapin ng
dalawa ang challenge, si VP Leni ang pinakamasaya. Ewan ko nga lang kung masaya, baka maging problemado
siya,” Batocabe said.
   
On Saturday, Duterte dared Sereno and Morales to resign with him, as the Office of the
Ombudsman conducts an investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of Duterte’s family.
   
“I now challenge Carpio to resign with me, at itong si Supreme Court Justice. Sige nga!”
Duterte said over the weekend in a speech before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao City
Chapter.
   
Sereno is already facing an impeachment complaint before the House Committee on Justice.
   
Duterte reiterated his earlier accusation of selective justice against Morales, pointing out
that she should prioritize cases that have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman years ago
instead of focusing on the complaint filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against him.
   
Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it has started its probe into the alleged
multi-billion peso wealth of Duterte and his family, based on Trillanes’ complaint.
   
Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang said Morales had authorized him to act on the
complaint.
   
According to Batocabe, while the President has the right to form an independent commission to
investigate the Ombudsman, the planned commission is powerless as it can only recommend the filing of
charges.
   
Batocabe then said the President can just wait for an impeachment complaint to be filed against
Morales and then lawmakers will determine the probable cause.
   
“Mahirap ang ganitong hidwaan, kung maaayos,  maayos na sana. Baka lalo na tayong mahati,”
Batocabe added.
   
He also rejected the idea of investigating the Ombudsman and even the alleged hidden wealth of
the Duterte family.
   
“Magulo na kung sasali pa ang Congress d’yan. Para sa akin ‘wag na ang Congress. Marami kaming
pending bills, then may impeachment pa,” Batocabe said.
   
But for ABS Party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera, the rift between Duterte and Morales is just part
of checks and balances in the government.