DE VENECIA URGED
Don’t abandon impeach rap
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 10:35:00 11/22/2008
Filed Under: Impeachment, Politics
MANILA, Philippines—Don’t leave just yet.
This was the warning of the House minority bloc to Pangasinan Representative Jose de Venecia Jr. who was reported to be leaving for Indonesia for a speaking engagement in the midst of an impeachment complaint filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the House of Representatives.
“Mr. De Venecia is supposed to be one of the speakers on Monday. If he doesn’t show up and leaves in the middle of the fight, lots of people will be turned off,” said Deputy Minority Leader Roilo Golez.
The House committee on justice is set to start deliberations on the substance of the latest oust-Arroyo move next week.
“He (De Venecia) assured us of his presence on Monday. He can say what he wants to say on that day,” said Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño, adding that they expected their colleague to “tell all” on the alleged culpability of the President in the controversial Northrail and National Broadband Network-ZTE deals.
Raul Lambino, De Venecia’s lawyer, confirmed that the congressman would attend the Monday session, but would leave the following day for Jakarta. He was expected to proceed to Washington, DC for a book-signing event on December 2.
The House committee on justice is set to hold marathon hearings starting Monday to determine if the impeachment complaint filed by a group led by De Venecia’s son, Jose (Joey) de Venecia Jr., was sufficient in substance a week after it affirmed that it was sufficient in form.
In February this year, Malacañang cut its ties with the former House Speaker and long-time ally of the President after his son accused the First Couple of bribery.
The minority and majority blocks will each form a five-member group to tackle the issues cited in the impeachment complaint. Committee chair Quezon City Representative Matias Defensor said he expected the committee to vote by Wednesday on the substance of the complaint, specifically on why the President should be impeached, and warned each panel against presenting evidence.
The majority block is expected to be represented by Negros Oriental Representative George Arnaiz, House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong, Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo, Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga, Baguio City Representative Mauricio Domogan and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.
Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Casiño, Gabriela Representatives. Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan, Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano and Bukidnon Representative Teofisto Guingona III will make up the minority block.
In a Tacloban City press conference Friday, Joey de Venecia Jr. said that while he remained hopeful, he expected the impeachment complaint to be dismissed “to give way for the Cha-cha Express.”
With administration congressmen pushing for Charter change, the President has no intention of stepping down in 2010, the younger De Venecia added. “Impeachment is a numbers game and the majority of congressmen belong to the administration party,” he said.
“The President will only step down if she is given a guarantee that she will not be arrested once she leaves Malacañang since she is sure to face a string of criminal and graft cases,” he stressed.
The former Speaker’s son added that the move of Arroyo’s allies to amend the Constitution was made to ensure that she would not suffer a fate similar to that of deposed Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada who were both ousted from power and faced criminal charges. With a report from Joey A. Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas
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