Bulatlat - The Philippines's alternative weekly magazine

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Vol. VI, No. 27 Aug. 17, 2006 Quezon City, Philippines

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House Justice Committee Dismisses Impeach Raps Vs Arroyo

BY AUBREY MAKILAN|
Bulatlat
Posted 12:30 a.m. Aug. 17, 2006

A year after killing the first impeachment complaint, the House of Representative justice committee again dismissed the second impeachment rap against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for insufficiency in substance.

Before the voting, committee chair Simeon Datumanong ordered to transfer the venue of the proceeding from the Plenary Hall to the much smaller Andaya Hall.

Datumanong suspended the hearing quarter to 6 p.m. after the pro-impeachment crowd waved white envelopes printed with the word "suhol" (bribe).

This prompted the anti-impeachment audience wearing yellow shirts printed with Arroyo’s face in front, who all stood up from the second floor of the gallery and walked out.

Even Pateros-Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano was later told to remove the paper which he placed on the podium with the words, "Takot, Ayaw Sumagot. Kasi Guilty?" (Afraid, Refuses to Answer. Maybe Guilty?) during his speech.

While the hearing was suspended, the majority legislators held their executive meeting at the Andaya Hall while the minority congressmen held theirs at the minority office. After over an hour, the hearing finally resumed and continued at the Session Hall.

At 7:48 p.m., the administration-dominated committee voted to dismiss the complaint filed by the Black and White Movement, upon motion by Ilocos Sur Representative Salacnib Baterina, vice chairman of the justice committee.

The minority congressmen walked out of the hall while the crowd was shouting "Buksan ang Kahon!" (Open the boxes!) while waving the white envelopes.

Railroaded?

During the suspension, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez handed over to De Venecia his petition to allow the presentation of evidence relevant to the impeachment case. De Venecia gave it to House Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles who transmitted the paper to justice committee chair Simeon Datumanong.

"But whoever loses still has enough time to go the plenary session on Tuesday for the presentation of the committee report," De Venecia told reporters.

However, he also said that the result of today's hearing is "indicative" of the vote on Aug. 22, when the committee will report its decision to the plenary for either adoption or rejection.

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said that it could be true "if they want to railroad the proceeding."

Even before the voting, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman already referred to the complaint as "dead on arrival."

Protest

Outside the Session Hall, pro-impeachment supporters held an instant protest together with the minority congressmen.

Members of the Special Action Force tried to stop some angry protesters resulting to a squabble. One policeman complained of slight rip on his uniform while a protester showed a broken watch.

After singing "Bayan Ko," the protesters ended the night by lighting candles at the grounds, in front of the flagpole at the Batasan compound.

Earlier, Fr. Joe Dizon, spokesman of the "Gloria Step Down Movement," called for civil disobedience if the complaint would be dismissed.

Dizon said the call is morally justified because the impeachment complaint was dismissed only because the minority does not have the numbers. Bulatlat

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