Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Impeachment complaint has no basis: Pabling
THE newest impeachment complaint filed by the opposition against President Arroyo is nothing but a “political proceeding,” Rep. Pablo “Pabling” Garcia (Cebu, 2nd district) said yesterday.
“An impeachment complaint has its own value in so far as the complainants are concerned whether it is a political or personal. Sometimes, you achieve your purpose by the mere fact that it is given publicity,” Garcia told radio dyLA.
Civil society groups and national broadband network (NBN) whistleblower-businessman Jose “Joey” de Venecia III filed on Monday an impeachment complaint against President Arroyo before the House of Representatives for alleged betrayal of public trust and corruption.
The above suit became the fourth impeachment complaint filed against the 14th president of the Philippines.
While he does not want to prejudge the complaint, Garcia said the coalitions will still matter once the complaint reaches the House plenary for determination of its form and substance.
Garcia recalled the opposition’s claim that the previous impeachment complaints had substantial basis to indict Arroyo.
“Impeachment (complaint) is a very serious matter. It needs substantial evidence,” Garcia said.
To recall, the House committee on justice junked the impeachment complaint against Arroyo early this year for lack of substance.
But Garcia said the dismissals of the previous impeachment complaints can not affect the fourth impeachment complaint against Arroyo.
“Every complaint will be acted upon on its own merit or demerit,” said Garcia.
Saying that the one year allowable tenure before a new complaint is to be filed against the President had already lapsed, Garcia said the House justice committee will see if the complaint is sufficient in form and substance.
Being a deputy House Speaker, Garcia said he would participate in evaluating the complaint’s substance and form.
Garcia said the allegations of corruption against Arroyo such as the controversial NBN-ZTE deal probe, ZTE-Diwalwal deal, and the North Rail Transit are yet to be established.
It would be difficult to use the above allegations to indict Arroyo, said Garcia.
But he said he could not prejudge the suit since he is part of the proceeding in the House committee until an inquiry is finished.
“It is too early to tell,” Garcia said on whether the suit is sufficient in form and substance.
His son, Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) said that as a House justice committee vice chairperson, he reserves his judgment on the complaint. (GMD)
