Since it is still a numbers game, Colmenares said that Malacañang is exhausting all means to dodge congressmen from endorsing the complaint. The allegation finds its basis from the testimonies of Representatives Rolex Suplico (5th District, Iloilo) and Eulogio “Amang” Magsaysay (Party-list, Ave) that they were being bribed by allies of the President to prevent them from supporting the complaint.
Colmenares said they would not hesitate to file the necessary charges, whether in the ethics committee or as a criminal complaint “pag napatunayan namin na may bribery na nangyari” (if reports about the bribery were confirmed).
Backlash
But by delaying the impeachment proceedings through political maneuvering and alleged bribery, the pro-Arroyo House members are getting more flak especially from the common folk who just want the truth come out and that those responsible for the current political crisis are held accountable.
Opposition Rep. Allan Peter Cayateno (Lone District, Pateros-Taguig), who is an ex-officio member of the CoJ, chided Datumanong for holding an executive session instead of conducting a public hearing.
House rules say that an executive session is only deemed possible when the subject of the inquiry is a threat to national security and public interest. “Does this now mean that the threat to the President’s tenure is a threat to national security?” he asked.
But more importantly, Colmenares said this attempt only proves the intention of Arroyo to obstruct the people’s search for truth.
What is at stake here, Colmenares added, is the credibility of Congress in handling this case. “If the proceedings would lack credibility, there is no way to stop another people power,” he said. (Bulatlat.com)
