'Dire consequences' if impeachment is junked--opposition

First posted 06:27pm (Mla time) Aug 04, 2005
By Maila Ager
INQ7.net

PRO-IMPEACHMENT lawmakers at the House of Representatives have warned of “dire consequences” should President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's allies junk an impeachment move against her on technical grounds.
The lawmakers were reacting to Speaker Jose De Venecia and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita's claims that they had the numbers to block the impeachment move.

“It would have dire consequences. It would trigger instability of enormous magnitude,” Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez said Thursday.

“Any attempt to rig the impeachment process is playing with fire and they shall be held responsible for the consequences of the dangerous game they play,” he said.

“The people will not take it and they will rise in protest in increasing number,” Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo said in a statement his colleague Teodoro Casiño echoed.

Iloilo Representative Rolex Suplico, a member of the pro-impeachment team, said that they were ready to "withdraw" should "Speaker De Venecia and his loops play around with the impeachment process."

“We will then tell the people to look for redress of their grievances elsewhere,” he said.

“How is it possible that more than half of Congress have already decided on the impeachment complaint? Deliberations have not yet started.” Gabriela Women's Party-list Representative Liza Maza said.

Golez and Casiño said the statement was an insult to members of the House.

“The Speaker of the House is making it appear that members are like mindless cattles that can be herded anywhere the President wants them to go,” Golez said.

“I think the House leadership should not underestimate the power of public opinion,” Casiño said.

“I still believe that majority of the congressmen will sign the impeachment complaint, especially if they study the evidences thoroughly and squarely,” he said.

Ilocos Norte Representative Imee Marcos said De Venecia should inhibit himself from the proceedings if he could not act fairly on the issue.

“He must ensure fairness and transparency for the interest of the Filipino people, and for the interest of Congress, and not for the interest of the President,” Marcos said.

“If Manong Joe cannot act fairly, propriety suggests that he must inhibit himself from the proceedings,” she stressed.