Exclusive - Senator Leila De Lima: Duterte's Act to Defend the Cops in Espinosa Rubout Makes Him Impeachable

According to Senator Leila De Lima, President Rodrigo Duterte's insistence to defend the cops who were involved in the rubout of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr.'s death could potentially lead to his impeachment.

De Lima questioned Duterte's firm stand to protect the law enforcers in an interview on Wednesday.

"How can there be accountability for these EJKs (extrajudicial killings) if the President himself keep on shielding these law enforcers?" De Lima asked.

"Kinakasuhan pa lang ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), pina-pardon na niya. That’s tantamout to pardon, ina-abswelto niya kaagad. That’s not even his duty because the duty belongs to the judiciary, the courts; so bordering na ‘yan to impeachability eh," De Lima said.

The former Justice Secretary insisted that Duterte's "betrayal of public trust" makes him impeachable.

She said that as the chief executive it is the President's duty to implement the law and assure that whoever commits crimes will be held accountable.

President Duterte reiterated his stand in favor of the Leyte cops involved in the rubout during the Urban Poor Solidarity Week held in Mandaluyong, where he said that he will stand by them and will not allow them to go to jail despite the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) findings indicating foul play.

"I will not allow these guys to go to prison maski sabihin ng NBI murder. Tutal, under ko man ang NBI. Under ko rin iyan, ang Department of Justice. But I do not interfere," President Duterte said.

"May finding sila? Good. File nila ng kaso. Pero hindi ko pabayaan ang mga pulis na ito kasi ako ang may utos eh." Duterte boldly added.