The Makati Business Club maintains its position that an impeachment process is a vital part of the country’s democratic system of checks and balances.
In a statement, the business group expressed concern over the unprecedented number of impeachment complaints lodged against high-ranking officials from the President, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Ombudsman and the Commission on Elections.
“We believe that the impeachment process engraved in the Constitution must not be invoked arbitrarily to persecute and silence individuals with opposing views, nor to undermine independent institutions, the bulwark of our nation’s democracy,” it said.
The group noted that the impeachment cases must be substantiated by strong evidence of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption or other high crimes, and not supported by mere accusations or anecdotes.
It also expressed serious concern over the implications of impeachment cases on the nation’s development.