This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com).
Vol. VI, No. 20, June 26, 2006
‘Citizen’s Impeachment Complaint’ Filed Vs GMA BY
AUBREY SC MAKILAN
The second
impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was formally
filed today at the office of the secretary general of the House of
Representatives, who confirmed it as the “first complaint” filed at his office.
At 8:09 a.m.,
House secretary general Roberto P. Nazareno received a copy of the complaint by
lead complainant Nini Quezon-Avanceña, as endorsed by opposition lawmakers House
Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero and San Juan Representative Ronaldo
Zamora. The complainants held vigil at the House last night in anticipation of
the filing of another complaint by lawyer Oliver Lozano, who filed the first
impeachment case against the president last year.
In the new
impeachment complaint, the president was charged for her “foregoing
unconstitutional acts” that constitute "culpable violations of the Constitution,
bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust."
Nazareno said he
would immediately transmit the complaint to House Speaker Jose de Venecia, who
has 10 days to transmit it to the Committee on Rules, then to the Committee on
Justice to determine sufficiency in form and substance. The first impeachment
complaint was dismissed on the basis of prejudicial questions raised in the
House plenary.
The 154-page
complaint was filed by 20 lead complainants, 18 organizations, including
relatives and victims of human rights violations under the Arroyo
administration. Among the complainants were University of the Philippines
professor Randolf S. David, national artist for literature Dr. Bienvenido
Lumbera, Col. (ret) Guillermo Cunanan, and Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Kilusang
Makabansang Ekomista (KME) founder.
Organizations
include the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance), Black
and White Movement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of
the Philippines), Women March and Manila Public School Teachers Association,
Inc. (MPTSA).
Former government
officials were also among complainants, including former presidential adviser
for the peace process Teresita Deles, former social welfare secretary Corazon
“Dinky” Soliman, and former transportation secretary Josephine Lichauco.
The complainants
had a one-time swearing-in before Nazareno. Lawyer Neri Colmenares did a roll
call of the complainants before handing each affiant’s signed form of the
unification and certification against forum-shopping to Nazareno.
Former vice
president Teofisto Guingona Jr., along with Sandra Cam, the lone witness against
the president on the issue of illegal numbers’ game or jueteng, will file his
separate complaint tomorrow, June 27.
Other opposition
lawmakers who expressed support in the filing were CIBAC Rep. Joel Villanueva,
Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, Akbayan, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza,
Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Rep. Loretta Ann
Rosales, and Laguna Representative Benjamin Agarao.
Nazareno said that
78, from the former 79 lawmakers are required to endorse the complaint since
representatives Ronaldo Puno and Rolando Andaya already joined the Cabinet.
Bulatlat
© 2006 Bulatlat
■
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Posted 12:49 p.m., June 26, 2006