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Monday, September 05, 2005
Pro, anti-Arroyo impeach solons to clash at House plenary
"IT AIN'T over until the fat lady sings."
This best describes the impeachment case filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whom impeachment resource person, former congressman Eduardo Antonio Nachura of Western Samar, said remains unsure of Arroyo's victory even if majority of the members of the House of Representatives are her allies.
The House committee on justice chaired by Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong dismissed the three impeachment complaints against President Arroyo, including the amended version filed by the opposition. The panel will submit its findings to the plenary Monday to be debated upon by the 236 members of the House.
The opposition congressmen need the support of 79 House members to overturn the justice committee report and allow the automatic transmittal of the case to the Senate for trial.
Nachura said aside from the 79 signatures, the opposition also has the option to ask for an extension to get the required signatures or appeal to the Supreme Court (SC).
"At this time, nobody can claim early victory; not even the President, not even the opposition. Everything is still hanging," he said.
Presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio said all the Palace could do is to pray and remain hopeful that those members of the House justice panel, who junked the impeachment complaints, would continue to support President Arroyo when it is voted on at the plenary.
"We are hopeful that those who did not sign the impeachment complaint will, let's just say, will stick to their position. We expect those who supported the President in the committee level will also support her at the plenary," he said.
He added that the opposition could make up a lot of excuses like alleged that the Palace is buying off pro-impeachment lawmakers with project assistance and cash but in the end, the fate of the case would still be voted on.
Senior House leaders led by Paranaque City Representative Eduardo Zialcita are upbeat that this week's crucial plenary vote on the impeachment complaint will be marked by "civility, respect for rules and statesmanship".
"Whatever the result is, I expect both sides to be at their very best behavior," Zialcita said.
"This is the week where the so-called big guns will be deployed. You will see a dazzling display of brilliance from both sides as they argue their respective positions, in the hope that it will be embraced by the House as a whole," he said.
House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles, meanwhile, accused the opposition of using unscrupulous means like malice, insult and cheap personal attacks rather than brilliant argument to save the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.
"The pro-impeachment solons are out of arguments," Nograles said. "They are resorting to personal attacks, and we know that personal attacks are the weakest form of argument available to the losing side."
He was referring to unfounded allegations by the opposition that Malacanang has used bribes and extended favors to gain the loyalty of congressmen who have rejected the amended impeachment complaint as "baseless and unconstitutional".
"Please stop insulting the administration congressmen who do not believe in your impeachment bid. Respect their votes just as they respect yours," Nograles said.
He said that those who refused to sign the impeachment complaint believe in the absence of a legal basis to remove President Arroyo and will maintain the stand in the plenary voting on the report of the justice committee this week.
Twenty eight congresswomen representing six political parties and one-party list group have rallied to support President Arroyo.
Mindoro Occidental Representative Amelita C. Villarosa said they recognize the President's contributions to women empowerment in government.
"There are more women in the Cabinet now than at any time in our political history," she said.
She said that the President is widely appreciated for her micro-finance program that has empowered more than one million entrepreneurs, mostly women, enabling them to set up income-earning businesses to defeat poverty.
"We are solidly supporting the President's 10-point agenda and program to advance the anti-poverty program and lift the national economy," she said.
Aside from Villarosa, those who also support President Arroyo are Representatives Angelica Amante (Second District, Agusan del Norte), Trinidad Apostol (Second District, Leyte), Belma Cabilao (Lone District, Zamboanga del Sur), Carmen Cari (Fifth District, Leyte), Nanette Castelo-Daza (Fourth District, Quezon City), Faysah Dumarpa (First District , Lanao del Sur), Glenda Ecleo (First District, Surigao del Norte), Eileen Ermita-Buhain (First District, Batangas), Janette Garin (First District, Iloilo), Milagros Magsaysay (First District, Zambales), Reylina Nicolas (Fourth District, Bulacan), Remedios Petilla (First District, Leyte), Herminia Ramiro (Second District, Misamis Oriental) and Victoria Reyes (Third District, Batangas).
Likewise, Lorna Silverio (Third District, Bulacan), Maryann Susano (Second District, Quezon City), Judy Syjuco (Second District, Iloilo), Uliran Joaquin (First District, Laguna), Josefina Joson (First District, Nueva Ecija), Rizalina Seachon-Lanete (Third District, Masbate), Corazon Malanyaon (First District, Davao Oriental), Nerissa Soon Ruiz (Sixth District, Cebu), Ana York Bondoc (Fourth District, Pampanga), Emmylou Taliño Santos (First District, North Cotabato), Cecilia Carreon (Third District, Zamboanga del Sur), Leonila Chavez (Butil party-list group) and Consuelo Dy (Lone District, Pasay City).
From the proponents of the impeachment case, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teodoro Casino urged the people to come in droves in Congress as they will make their last stand to defend the amended complaint before the plenary.
Casino said the people are looking for avenues to vent their frustration with the impeachment hearings.
"People will be going to the streets in indignation. Those in their offices can spam around to air their frustrations," he said.
Former President Corazon Aquino, movie actress Susan Roces, widow of the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., and other pro-impeachment mass leaders are expected to attend the plenary to support the transmittal of the amended impeachment complaint against President Arroyo to the Senate.
Anti-Arroyo protestors will also assemble outside the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City to guard the impeachment process. (JMR/JFF)
(September 5, 2005 issue)
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