PRESS STATEMENT OF CONG. ROILO GOLEZ Congressman Roilo Golez, 2nd District of Parañaque City August 03, 2005
MAJORITY PLAYING DANGEROUS GAME IN IMPEACHMENT CASE

The majority appears to be playing a very dangerous game in the impeachment case against PGMA.

First, the Majority Leader stated in a live ANC interview at around 12:45 noon, Monday, 1 August 2005, that when 79 signatures are achieved, they will let the Impeachment Complaint pass, i.e., transmittal to the Senate.

Now, after the unanimous vote adopting the 11th Congress Impeachment Rules, we are hearing contrary noise from some members of the majority, including the Majority Leader.

Second, some majority members are stating that the amended complaint should not be entertained, after all the raised expectations due principally to the opening speech made by the Speaker himself.

I hope they realize the grave political and security repercussions of a public perception that the majority and Malacanang are subverting the impeachment process.

80% of Metro Manilans… roughly 8 million people… are in favor of the President’s removal by resignation or Impeachment. They are pinning their hopes on a just and fair impeachment process.

There is also the very alarming survey indication that 7% of the entire Philippines… roughly 700,000 in Metro Manila and close to 6 million all over the country… want the President removed by whatever means.

That is a very significant number in favor of other means of removal, including extra-constitutional. Only the vast majority of the people who continue to have faith in the constitutional process are holding the 7% in check.

If the faith in the constitutional process of those 80% in Metro Manila is eroded enough, the extra-constitutionalists might prevail and all hell could break loose.

That’s why it’s important to adhere to the rules of fair play lest the Impeachment Complaint be instead referred to the Court of the People.

Malacanang cannot be too sure about the military which I know is keenly watching. The President faces a serious moral issue and I know that the military is very sensitive to grave moral issues such as accusations that the election has been stolen.

We in the political leadership should exert all efforts to keep the military in their barracks instead of being provoked to join the political fray by a subverted impeachment process. This is a potential flashpoint which should not be ignored.

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