‘Citizen’s Impeachment Complaint’ Filed Vs GMA

BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN

Posted 12:49 p.m., June 26, 2006



The second impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was formally filed today at the office of the secretary general of the House of Representatives, who confirmed it as the “first complaint” filed at his office.

At 8:09 a.m., House secretary general Roberto P. Nazareno received a copy of the complaint by lead complainant Nini Quezon-Avanceña, as endorsed by opposition lawmakers House Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero and San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora. The complainants held vigil at the House last night in anticipation of the filing of another complaint by lawyer Oliver Lozano, who filed the first impeachment case against the president last year.

In the new impeachment complaint, the president was charged for her “foregoing unconstitutional acts” that constitute "culpable violations of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust."

Nazareno said he would immediately transmit the complaint to House Speaker Jose de Venecia, who has 10 days to transmit it to the Committee on Rules, then to the Committee on Justice to determine sufficiency in form and substance. The first impeachment complaint was dismissed on the basis of prejudicial questions raised in the House plenary.

The 154-page complaint was filed by 20 lead complainants, 18 organizations, including relatives and victims of human rights violations under the Arroyo administration. Among the complainants were University of the Philippines professor Randolf S. David, national artist for literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, Col. (ret) Guillermo Cunanan, and Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Kilusang Makabansang Ekomista (KME) founder.

Organizations include the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance), Black and White Movement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines), Women March and Manila Public School Teachers Association, Inc. (MPTSA).

Former government officials were also among complainants, including former presidential adviser for the peace process Teresita Deles, former social welfare secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, and former transportation secretary Josephine Lichauco.

The complainants had a one-time swearing-in before Nazareno. Lawyer Neri Colmenares did a roll call of the complainants before handing each affiant’s signed form of the unification and certification against forum-shopping to Nazareno.

Former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr., along with Sandra Cam, the lone witness against the president on the issue of illegal numbers’ game or jueteng, will file his separate complaint tomorrow, June 27.

Other opposition lawmakers who expressed support in the filing were CIBAC Rep. Joel Villanueva, Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, Akbayan, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales, and Laguna Representative Benjamin Agarao.

Nazareno said that 78, from the former 79 lawmakers are required to endorse the complaint since representatives Ronaldo Puno and Rolando Andaya already joined the Cabinet. Bulatlat