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Thursday, October 18, 2007
Support of Arroyo’s House allies to impeach bid seen
MANILA –- Despite lacking in numbers at the House of Representatives, the United Opposition (UNO) on Wednesday expressed confidence of a 70-30 chance of having President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo impeached now that the administration coalition is rocked by controversies.
Former senator Ernesto Maceda said the opposition will bank on the support of pro-administration congressmen who are disgruntled by the series of scandals to hit the Arroyo administration, the latest of which is the bribery scandal disclosed by Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio.
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“Before these scandals hit the administration it seems that we have no hope of a real impeachment case but now we have a 70-30 chance of success. This is a beautiful chance since the administration is self-destructing,” Maceda said.
He said there is reason for hope considering the infighting in the majority bloc triggered by numerous scandals hounding the administration.
“A convergence of discontent should convince members of the majority to support a stronger case against Mrs. Arroyo,” he added.
Maceda cited the case of the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal entered into by the government with China’s ZTE Corporation, the North Railways project, the Cyber Education project, and the irregularities during the last May elections as among the issues that are causing discontent among the public.
Two opposition-initiated impeachment complaints were defeated in 2005 and 2006 by the majority bloc in Congress ensuring the President’s continued stay in Malacañang.
Maceda’s statement came after the opposition decided late Tuesday night to pursue a new impeachment bid, in spite of another complaint lodged by lawyer Rafael Pulido last October 5.
Under the Constitution, only one impeachment complaint can be lodged against an impeachable official including the President within a year.
For an impeachment bid to succeed and be transmitted to the Senate, it must get the vote of two-thirds of the House.
Maceda claimed some allies of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. in the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) are up in arms over the reported maneuvering of Malacañang especially the reported plan to unseat him from his post by members of the President’s party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
He added that these lawmakers, who fear they will lose their committee chairmanship once de Venecia is replaced, have started “sounding” the opposition and expressed readiness to support a new impeachment complaint.
A close Arroyo ally who played a great part in staving off the two impeach bid against the President, the Speaker reportedly gained the ire of the Chief Executive when his son, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, disclosed alleged irregularities and bribery in the NBN deal involving Cabinet officials and First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.
In a related development, UNO chairman and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said they are studying whether to ask Panlilio to testify for their case once the impeachment complaint is filed before the Congress.
“I supposed but at present we are still studying and building up our case. We have formed a technical working group to assess his (Panlilio) disclosure,” Binay said.
Panlilio has revealed that he was given P500,000 when he attended a meeting with local officials at Malacañang last week.
Binay earlier said they will file the new case on or before Congress resumes its session on November 5.
He said this year's complaint will cite the controversy-marred broadband deal and the alleged "cash gifts" recently given by Malacañang to lawmakers and local officials.
According to him, they would not allow their case to be merged with Pulido’s complaint, which he said, was tainted by allegations of bribery. (AH/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (October 18, 2007 issue)
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