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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Lawmakers deal final blow to impeach bid vs Arroyo
MANILA -- The House of Representatives, dominated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's allies, dealt the final blow Monday to an impeachment bid against her.
Earlier this month, the House Justice Committee threw out the complaint against Arroyo over alleged corruption and betrayal of public trust and vowed to stick to a one-year ban on other such attempts.
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The complaint was dismissed on a technicality for "lack of substance" - the third year in a row that Arroyo's allies have saved her from an opposition-led impeachment attempt.
The 240-member House upheld the committee's decision, with 184 lawmakers voting for the dismissal of the complaint, one against, and one abstention. The rest were absent or left the plenary hall during the voting.
At least one-third vote of the House is needed to bring the complaint to the Senate for trial.
Critics of the complaint, filed by lawyer Rafael Pulido, alleged it was weak and may have been filed to prevent a stronger case from seeing Arroyo impeached.
Under the rules, only one impeachment suit can be filed against the president in one year.
Pro-Arroyo Representative Edcel Lagman, vice chairman of the justice committee, said the complaint, which Arroyo allegedly "connived" with officials over a supposedly bribe-tainted contract with China's ZTE Corporation for a government broadband network, did not cite "factual allegations of overt acts" and relied on "hearsay" testimony in the Senate.
President Arroyo scrapped the deal after a losing bidder told a Senate inquiry that bribes were offered to ensure approval of the project.
Arroyo's husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, also was promised a huge kickback, the bidder claimed. Mr. Arroyo has denied receiving any kickbacks.
The President has survived two other impeachment attempts in the past two years, including one that accused her of rigging the 2004 presidential election with the help of a top elections commissioners and loyal generals. She has denied any wrongdoing, but has refused to explain the accusations in detail. (AP)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (November 27, 2007 issue)
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