IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT
Arroyo foes to press ‘recital of facts’
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:30:00 11/19/2008
Filed Under: Impeachment, Congress
MANILA, Philippines -- The fourth impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stands a better chance of making it to trial if the House committee on justice allows a more thorough deliberation of the charges against her, lawmakers who have endorsed the complaint said.
House Deputy Minority Leader Satur Ocampo of the Bayan Muna (People First) party list said they will insist on a "recital of facts" before a determination of sufficiency in substance can be made at the resumption of the hearing on Thursday.
He said it is important for the charges against Arroyo to be discussed for the committee to see the impeachable offense.
"One impeachable offense is enough to send the complaint to the Senate for trial," he said.
Ocampo’s fellow Bayan Muna representative, Teodoro Casiño, lamented that the last three complaints against Arroyo were junked for insufficiency in substance without the recital of facts.
Quezon City Representative Matias Defensor, justice committee chairman, said that on Thursday's hearing, lawmakers backing the impeachment and those against it will form separate panels for the discussion.
For example, he said, one or two representatives from the pro-impeachment group will discuss one impeachable offense and then be answered by speakers from the anti-impeachment group.
He said he expects the pro-impeachment lawmakers to be able to present evidence to prove their case that Arroyo has committed an impeachable offense.
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