Aquino impeachment raps referred to House justice panel
MANILA, Philippines — The three impeachment complaints against President Benigno Aquino III have been referred to a House of Representatives committee on Monday.
The three complaints were referred to the Committee on Justice, chaired by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., during the plenary session on Monday.
The first two complaints were about Aquino’s outlawed Disbursement Acceleration Program, parts of the stimulus program declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The third is over the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which seeks a greater US military presence in the country despite a constitutional ban on foreign bases.
The impeachment raps were endorsed by militant lawmakers Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate, Anakpawis Rep Fernando Hicap, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon, and Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus.
The fourth impeachment complaint against Aquino, this time over supposedly sustaining the pork barrel system in the 2014 budget, did not make the cut as it was merely submitted on Monday. The Secretary General was then not present to accept the complaint filed by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio.
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