Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Lawmakers quash impeachment case v. Arroyo (8:50 p.m.)
MANILA -- Lawmakers on Wednesday quashed an impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the second time in a year, dealing a major blow to efforts to oust her on allegations of vote-rigging, corruption, and other improprieties.
The House of Representatives' justice committee, dominated by Arroyo allies, had been widely expected to dismiss the new impeachment bid. The full 232-member House will vote, probably next week, on whether to endorse the committee's action.
Last year, they voted 158-51 to uphold a committee decision to dismiss the first case against Arroyo, who has had a rocky time ruling the country since taking over when predecessor Joseph Estrada was ousted by a "people power" revolt in January 2001. She was elected to her own six-year term in 2004, an election that the opposition claims that she stole. (AP) |
