Hilbay says Duterte can’t order the arrest of anyone just because he wants to: 'Everyday, we sink lower & lower'

Former solicitor general Florin "Pilo" Hilbay and President Rodrigo Duterte / composite photo from ABS CBN

For former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, filing an impeachment complaint against a President is not a crime as it is a constitutional right of a citizen.

This statement from Hilbay came after President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he will send to jail those people trying to impeach him.  

“I-impeach ako? Kulungin ko silang lahat. Subukan niyo. Try to take it, do it, and I will do it,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.

Hilbay said Duterte could not just order the arrest of anyone as he pleases.

“(1) The President has no constitutional authority to order the arrest of anyone just bec he wants to,” Hilbay said in his tweet

“(2) The filing of an impeachment complaint is a constitutional prerogative of citizens & members of Congress. It can’t be the basis of a crime. Every day, we sink lower & lower,” he added.

In a separate tweet earlier, Hilbay hoped that Filipinos may have the courage to embrace the second half of the year with kindness, generosity, and hope.

“May we also have the patience and grit to continue fighting for our country. Conspire with us, universe. Bumawi ka naman,” he added

Several lawmakers, including former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, were one in saying that Duterte may be impeached after he agreed to allow Chinese fishermen to fish in the Philippines’ EEZ.

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo pointed out on Sunday that Duterte was confident that he could overcome any impeachment effort against him because of his allies' dominance in Congress.

"Tingin ko kaya malakas ang loob kasi may supermajority sa Congress," Robredo said on her RMN radio program.

"So baka iniisip na kahit anong gawin, puwede dahil kakampihan ng mga kakampi. Ito ang nakakalungkot." She added

Source: Politiko