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Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Group laments House loss
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
"CONGRESS did not listen to Cagayanons and left seven boxes of impeachment evidence unopened," said the members of Black and White Movement-Cagayan de Oro on the impeachment complaint they signed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that was junked by the House committee on justice.
Also, the group held their First Anniversary Celebration and Ninoy Aquino Anniversary Monday with Congresswoman Dina Abad and local Black and White convener Antonio Soriano at Mass-Specc conference hall here in Cagayan de Oro City.
The group then held a strategic planning after their celebration to map out their next moves and on the next impeachment complaint they will be filing next year.
During their forum, impeachment complainants Macabalan barangay councilman Raul Go, Batin Ravanera, Bencyrus Ellorin, Dina Awitan, Adora Ellevera, and Jesus is Lord (JIL) local representatives among others accused Congress of not affording even a single second to listen to Cagayanons who signed the eight impeachment complaint.
"It would not have mattered much if they junked our impeachment complaint but at least they should have given us time to present our evidence but Congress did not that was what hurt most," Go said.
The eight impeachment complaint, signed mostly by barangay leaders and residents of Cagayan de Oro who are also members of the local Black and White Movement, was admitted as sufficient in form but not in substance by the congressional committee on justice.
Ravanera and Ellorin, who went to Manila during the impeachment hearing in Congress, recounted that there was a time that they would have been given a chance but Arroyo's administration allies killed the move.
Ravanera said Congressman Roilo Golez even discussed how there are only two requirements for their impeachment complaint to be declared sufficient in substance -- the complaint contains a recital of facts and on whether the body hearing it has jurisdiction.
She said the enumeration or recital of facts in our complaints was "very clear" and the tribunal hearing it has jurisdiction.
"The two requisites were met it was just a matter of the interpretation of the rules," she added.
Ravanera quoted two legislators saying that the impeachment became more of a "numbers game" such as Jueteng and not on hearing what people has to say as part of what democracy was all about.
Ellorin said, "It was not the complaint that we signed that Congress killed but the death of democracy, justice, fairness, deliberative good governance and respect."
Awitan, for her part, said the Cagayanons have made their mark as a place where influential "opposition" leaders come citing Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Assemblyman lawyer Homobono Adaza and Rufus Rodriguez.
"But now this spirit was killed by the Congressmen because of greed and power," she said.
Ellevera recounted how they even went to Manila just to personally testify and brought with them seven boxes of evidence complete with voice and videotapes.
"We were alive and very willing when we went there but Congress did not listen to us Cagayanons," she said.
A JIL local representative for his part stood up and reported that their local chapter is now ready to be "mobilized" but are just waiting for the green light.
"All these will have its end...they will have their day," he said.
The other complainants who joined the local Black and White Movement celebration are: Mike Baños, Moses Dacer, Eddy Balaba, Artemio Adem, Susan Gay Abonitalla, Yolanda Cabingas, Carmen Abecia, Virgilia Retirida, Marjorie Pajente, Arturo Bales, Luz Bales, Virginia Caleso, Jocelyn Dacer, Corazon Acido, Beverlita Consigo, Nida Ellevera and Nythnyth Sabanpan among others.
(August 22, 2006 issue)
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