Written by Noel Sales Barcelona   

Does the United States government meddle with the Philippines’ internal affairs? It seems so, as President Benigno C. Aquino III allegedly discussed to two Republican senators some information—and perhaps, the importance—of the impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court of the Philippines chief justice Renato Corona.

One of the groups that expressed doubt about the real motive of the bachelor President was the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (National Strength of the Fisherfolk Movement of the Philippines or Pamalakaya).

In a statement, Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya’s chief had questioned President Aquino’s discussing “internal matters” to Senators John Sidney McCain III (Republican, AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (Republican, CT) who visited the country last January 18th. The other senators who visited Malacañan Palace were Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island state and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire state.

“Why discuss the ongoing impeachment of Corona to US senators? What is the purpose of Mr. Aquino? Does the Washington government have something to do with impeachment case? So, what is this entire political buzz Mr. President?” the Pamalakaya leader said.

Hicap theorized that the recent “discussion” about the impeachment vs Corona with the two senators, has something to do with the plan to “acquit” former President and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the series of legal cases filed against her. The former president is facing numerous cases that include the alleged sabotage of the 2007 national and local polls; graft and corruption; and human rights violations in connection with the killings and disappearance of government critics, from 2001 up to 2010, when she was the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The fisherfolk leader also opined that maybe, there will be a truce between President Aquino and Mrs. Arroyo after the impeachment court has decided on Corona’s fate.