Opposition wants Datumanong out as justice panel chief

The opposition bloc in the House of Representatives said Tuesday that Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong should inhibit himself as justice committee chairman for alleged statements prejudicial to the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.

According to Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, Datumanong was quoted in ANC's "Viewpoint" talkshow saying that the complaint filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano exceeds the House rule that an impeachment case can be lodged only once a year through the justice committee.

Golez also accused Datumanong of stating that the "Hello Garci" tapes are inadmissible as evidence in the impeachment court.

Datumanong, however, said that he will not inhibit himself from the proceedings.

"Let us have this source produced here and not let somebody state it for him," Datumanong said in reaction to Golez's statement that the justice committee chairman's words were caught on tape.

Golez responded by producing a VHS tape of the talkshow aired last week. The Parañaque representative also cited his own example when he stepped down as defense committee chairman in the House probe on the wiretapping scandal last month due to statements against the proceedings.

But according to Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, "You cannot disqualify the chairman on the point of his statements. Otherwise, all of us should be suspended."

He said Golez's statements were part of the ploy to delay the House committee hearing.

For his part, Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras said that Datumanong may be biased since he was appointed to the justice and public works post in the Arroyo Cabinet.

Cebu Rep. Clavel Martinez, on the other hand, cited the example of former Nueva Ecija congressman Pacifico Fajardo who stepped down as panel member during the impeachment hearing against deposed president Joseph Estrada. Ricardo inhibited himself, Martinez said, because he is related to then-Vice President Mrs. Arroyo who stood to benefit from the Estrada impeachment.

He added: "The chairman should step down because he is well-acquainted with the President as he was appointed before as public works secretary then as justice secretary."

But Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor, justice committee vice-chairman, said that Datumanong cannot resign from his position in the panel because he was elected by the plenary. "If he (Datumanong) is called to step down, then it should be voted upon by the plenary."