QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of China’s passage in Benham Rise should not be used as a basis of an impeachment complaint, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
He also reasoned out that the entry of the Chinese survey ship in the Benham Rise is in line with the government policy of research and development.
“Para sa akin, it’s not an impeachable offense. This is clearly not (impeachable) because it’s a policy. How can a policy be an impeachable offense? It’s for research, it’s for science so I don’t see anything wrong with that,” the senator said in an interview.
On the other hand, the senator admitted that there is a problem with coordination as it appeared that the security cluster was not aware of the fact that the President allowed the entry of the Chinese survey ship.
Senator Gatchalian also said that it is not clear whether the Chinese vessel actually surveyed Benham Rise.
However, Gatchalian explained that in the case of a marine science research, freedom of navigation does not require a permit from the government.
