Lawmaking, economy suffer amid Corona impeach trial

House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman. INQUIRER/JOAN BONDOC

Congress’ fixation on the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona is taking its toll on its legislative work and the government’s management of the economy.

“While the national growth has plunged to 3.7 percent  last year, which is much slower than the 7.6 percent gross domestic product (GDP) expansion in 2010, and the number of hungry Filipinos has escalated to 4.5-M from 4.1-M last September, the Aquino administration has marshaled its time and resources to an agenda of ousting the Chief Justice,” said Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.

Since the start of the trial in January 16, Lagman noted that lawmaking at the Batasan has stagnated as attendance in the committee hearings and plenary session has plummeted to less than the required quorum.

Lagman said that the impeachment should continue “without excessive fanfare and biased publicity” because the public has more pressing problems to deal with like hunger and unemployment rather than watch the “alleged high profile transgressions of the elite officialdom.”

“The Aquino administration must meaningfully and immediately address these small concerns of small Filipinos rather than divert its time, passion and resources to an agenda of prosecution which will not uplift and empower the greater number,” said Lagman.

Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said it has become imperative for Congress to revive its oversight committee which would track inefficient government agencies.