Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Nalzaro: Exercise in futility By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
WHILE the rest of the world are alarmed over the global financial crisis and are making moves to avert an economic collapse, in the Philippines politics is still on top of the minds of political leaders. This, as another impeachment complaint was filed against President Arroyo.
Personalities from the political opposition, militant organizations and civic society filed the complaint the other day, the fourth since Arroyo assumed office in 2001. They accused the President of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption and human rights violations.
The controversial NBN-ZTE deal and questionable government transactions like the North Rail project, fertilizer purchase and the alleged distribution of bribe money to congressmen and local officials in a meeting in Malacañang are the only new issues raised. The others are mere rehash of previous impeachment complaints, like the “Hello Garci” controversy and the killing of activists.
For me, there is nothing new in the gimmick of Arroyo critics. They are just wasting their time and effort as the move is an exercise in futility. I doubt, for example, if they have enough evidence to pin down Arroyo on the NBN-ZTE deal. She was not mentioned by witnesses as having gained something out of the transaction. Besides, it was cancelled.
But even if they have a truckload of evidence, impeachment is a political exercise. The complainants need at least one third of the 240 members of the House to impeach the President. Do you think the opposition can muster that number of votes? I doubt. I think the complaint will be killed at the committee level for being insufficient in form and in substance.
While Arroyo is a lame duck president, she still has clout over majority of the congressmen. Remember that she will still be president until June 30, 2010, and her party mates still depend on her financial support. She can still use government resources to advance the political interest of her party mates.
The House will be wasting its time deliberating and debating on the impeachment complaint. If it will prosper, the Senate will have no more time to hear it.
Why don't we just wait for Arroyo to bow out of office? She is no longer qualified to seek reelection. We can crucify her after she finishes her term. Besides, this complaint will again cause political divisiveness among the people.
