Ted Aljibe | AFP | Getty Images
Relatives of victims of extra-judicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war stand in front of a photo exhibit of victims during a gathering on the grounds of a church in Manila on March 1, 2017.
An opposition lawmaker filed an impeachment complaint in the Philippine Congress on Thursday against President Rodrigo Duterte, calling for his removal for what he said were high crimes, betrayal of public trust and abuses of power.
Lower house representative Gary Alejano accused Duterte of a laundry list of offences he said were worthy of impeachment, from concealing assets and conflicts of interest to drugs-related extrajudicial killings and running an alleged “death squad” when he was Davao City mayor.
Duterte has rejected similar allegations leveled at him in the past. His spokesman on Thursday said Alejano was trying to create doubts among the public about the administration.
Alejano said his aim was to give Filipinos a chance to speak up against a powerful president.
“Our goal with this complaint is to be a vehicle for Filipinos to have a voice to oppose and fight against the abuses and crimes of President Duterte,” Alejano told a televised news conference.
“We know it’s an uphill battle … but we believe that many will support this complaint.”
