Andina

Peruvian President's lawyer: Impeachment must be based on facts, not on presumptions

13:42 | Lima, Sep. 18.

Roberto Pereira, the lawyer of President Martin Vizcarra, on Friday affirmed that the presidential impeachment must be based on definitive and confirmed facts, not on presumptions that are being investigated.

During the Congress plenary session, he explained that his presence at Congress was to give reasons and propose a debate of ideas surrounding the impeachment on the grounds of permanent moral incapacity.

"Facts are considered as such once they are verified (...) impeaching means interrupting his mandate and that can be done based on definitive and confirmed facts, not on presumptions that are being investigated and lack certainty," Pereira expressed.

"These facts lack certainty and cannot trigger events such as a presidential impeachment," he added.

According to the lawyer, Congress does not investigate crimes and does not have constitutional competence to do so, therefore, "it is not its nature."

"I believe in democratic congresses that engage in rational debates. Political decisions must be addressed within the framework of the Constitution, so that you can make the best possible decision," he emphasized.

Furthermore, Pereira affirmed that the motion is based on the hiring of Richard Cisneros, which is being investigated by the Prosecutor's Office, so "a definitive conclusion has not been reached yet."

Remarks were made during the Congress' plenary session that debates the impeachment motion against President Martin Vizcarra.

(END) JCC/CVC/RMB/MVB

Published: 9/18/2020