Thursday, September 29, 2005 (Philippines)

Marine Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani (right) talks beside Lt. Col. Alexander Balutan before a Senate committee investigating wiretapped recordings of President Gloria Arroyo allegedly rigging the 2004 elections. The two officers were relieved of their posts yesterday within hours of testifying on election fraud at the Senate. (Senate photo/Released to Ap) A Cebuano legislator’s petition questioning the House of Representatives’ dismissal of the impeachment complaints against President Arroyo has a “glimmer of hope” at the Supreme Court. The High Court gave due course to the plea of pro-impeachment lawyers led by Harry Roque and Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez (Cebu, 4th district), who helped draft the amended impeachment complaint of opposition and party-list congressmen. Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. ordered House Speaker Jose de Venecia and committee on justice chairman Simeon Datu-manong to comment within 10 days on the petition. [full story]