Only Congress, not Sandiganbayan, has power to suspend Arroyo

former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s congressional seat is secure after her peers at the House of Representatives declared that the Sandiganbayan cannot place her on preventive suspension while facing corruption charges in the anti-graft court.

Only Congress can suspend one of its members, said Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong, a member of Arroyo’s Lakas-Kampi, and House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, a former Arroyo ally.

“Under the Constitution, only the House of Representatives can suspend its members…for disorderly behavior by a vote of two-thirds of all its members,” said Datumanong in a text message.

Gonzales pointed out that since Arroyo was being charged for her alleged complicity in the NBN-ZTE deal which was allegedly committed while she was president and not as a representative of Pampanga, “this is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee.”

“Even if the Sandiganbayan suspends her, it will not be implemented by the House,” he said.

Ombudsman prosecutors filed a motion with the Sandiganbayan asking the anti-graft court to place Arroyo under mandatory suspension because of the graft charges filed against her.

Senator Gregorio Honasan said he does not expect the people to rise in revolt if Arroyo is suspended.

“That’s not a gut issue. However way it goes, as long as justice is served,  I don’t think the Filipino people will oppose (her suspension),” said Honasan.

“You cannot underestimate the judgment of the Filipino people, who want to see justice served,” he said.