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Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Nalzaro: Impeachment process
By Bobby Nalzaro
Reports say Malacañang is using its influence to entice or pressure congressmen not to sign the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. The President supposedly promised the immediate release of billions of pesos from the road users' tax for the legislators' infrastructure projects.
To be given priority are administration allies and those who won’t sign the impeachment complaint.
Aside from this, the opposition claimed that the President called the congressmen, their families, relatives and even the governors and mayors in their districts for the same purpose. At least 79 signatures are needed before the impeachment complaint can be transmitted to the Senate for a full-blown trial. The opposition only has 42 signatures.
Why is Malacañang doing this maneuver? Is the President afraid of being impeached that she is doing everything to stop the process at the House level? Then she is interfering in the function of the legislature.
If the President did not commit any impeachable offense, then she should allow the impeachment process to continue. Killing it in the House might push people to react violently and launch a People Power revolt, like what happened during the impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada.
To recall, Erap’s trial got stalled when the prosecutors walked out after senators allied with Erap refused to open the second Jose Velarde envelop.
Through texting, the mass media and calls by Catholic church leaders, a big crowd gathered at Edsa sparking People Power II that ousted Erap.
That this scenario will happen again is not remote. The opposition has always been good at getting the attention and sympathy of the people.
What if they succeed in gaining people's support? Besides, if the impeachment process won’t prosper, the issues confronting the Arroyo administration will still be hounding her. If that happens, she will no longer be able to govern effectively.
So the best thing Arroyo should do is to let the impeachment process continue so the complaint will be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
She has nothing to worry about because she still has the number there.
If she is acquitted, there is no more reason for her political tormentors to continue pestering her.
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com/ 0919-3181404)
(August 24, 2005 issue)
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