First impeachment rap vs Aquino found sufficient in form

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives justice committee has found sufficient in form the first impeachment complaint against President Benigno Aquino III.

During Tuesday’s committee hearing, chairman Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. noted that 53 members found sufficient in form the first impeachment rap. Meanwhile, one objected while another abstained.

Upon finding it sufficient in form, the committee concurred that the complaint was verified by the endorsing lawmakers.

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, Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio aand Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus.

A fourth impeachment rap accused Aquino of sustaining the outlawed Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in the 2014 budget. The SC declared as unconstitutional the congressional pork at the height of a corruption scandal under the alleged scheme of Janet Lim-Napoles.

But the complaint failed to reach the floor in time for the committee referral of the first three complaints.