Lagman: Arroyo’s ‘presence’ at hearing signals junking of impeach raps vs SC justices

Updated (4:56 p.m.)

The presence of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the House justice panel deliberations “signaled the junking” of the impeachment complaints against the seven Supreme Court justices who ousted Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice.

Opposition lawmaker Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman made this statement on Tuesday as he assailed the House panel’s decision to dismiss the impeachment complaints against Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Justices Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, and Noel Tijam.

READ: House justice panel junks impeach cases vs 7 anti-Sereno SC justices

“The writing on the wall was obvious when Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attended the initial proceedings, although she left after listening to Rep. Jesulito Manalo fired the first salvo against the complaints,” Lagman, who is also one of the complainants, said in a press briefing.

“Because her presence would be implied to a signal to junk the complaints,” he added.

The lawmaker also criticized the House justice committee for its lack of “judiciousness and fairness” when it junked their impeachment complaints.

But Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Salvador “Doy” Leachon, the House panel chair, has denied Lagman’s claim against Arroyo, saying she has the right to be there as the Speaker and an ex-officio member of the committee.

“Not at all. First, ma’am SGMA (Arroyo’s initials) was notified to be there as ex-officio member just like other officio members who were there. Second, It’s her right to be there as speaker of the House,” Leachon said in a statement.

“Third, she’s actually been attending other committee hearings, not only in the House Committee on Justice. So her attendance this morning at the impeachment proceeding must not be singled out to that effect,” he added.

Meanwhile, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said it was obvious that the panel members wanted the complaints dismissed as soon as possible, especially now that the lower chamber is also holding budget deliberations.

“Based on their demeanor, they want this complaint dismissed as soon as possible… This is an inglorious appreciation of the substance (of the complaint),” he added.

For his part, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said he had hoped that the committee would at least allow the complaints to be debated even though it’s a “political issue” influenced by a “numbers game.”

“Pero sa akin, nabigyan man lang sana ng pagkakataon na mapag-usapan (I would have wanted them to allo this issue to be discussed),” he said.

“Kung pababayaan natin ‘to (If they are going to let this pass), we’re actually saying that the SC is untouchable,” he added. /ee