JDV III, groups fail to file 4th impeachment rap vs Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines – Civil society groups on Saturday failed to file a new impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after House secretary-general Marilyn Yap authorized to receive the complaint flew to Geneva, Switzerland. The groups led by businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III will instead file the complaint on Monday. De Venecia III, son of former House speaker Jose De Venecia Jr, earlier exposed the allegedly anomalous $329.48-million national broadband network deal between the Philippine government and China's Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp. The young De Venecia linked the alleged anomaly to Jose Miguel Arroyo, the President's husband. De Venecia III said the groups would prevent the likes of Oliver Lozano and Ruel Pulido from spoiling the impeachment process. He said the complaint would be filed before deputy secretary general Ramon Ricardo Roque on October 13 "first thing in the morning." “We hope that there will be no more Lozanos and Pulidos who will sabotage the process and shield the President from this. We will file it first thing in the morning. We also hope that the Speaker allows this to go through the proper channels," said De Venecia III . “We wish to send the very strong message to the President that she cannot kill or steal and get away with it. We will pursue this even when she steps down from power in 2010. Itutuloy namin ang laban (We will continue the fight)!" said Iloilo vice governor Rolex Suplico, another complainant. Other complainants include lawyer Harry Roque; Editha Burgos, mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos; Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeno, mothers of missing UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno; former transportation undersecretary Josefina Lichauco, activist Renato Constantino, actor Rez Cortez, Linggoy Alcuaz, Leah Navarro, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman Danilo Ramos. Earlier in the day, lawmakers pushing for the ouster of Mrs Arroyo feared that the new impeachment move would encounter technical problems because Yap went abroad, thus there would be no one at the House who would officially receive the complaint. Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño said his group was informed of the secretary-general's flight only Friday night. He said Yap's replacement would not be authorized to take over until Monday. "Weekend ngayon. Si Sec-Gen lumipad papuntang Geneva. 'Di pa sigurado kung tatanggapin ng opisina ng Sec-Gen ang complaint over the weekend (It's weekend now. The secretary-general has flown to Geneva and we are not sure who will receive the complaint)," Casiño said in an interview on dzXL radio. "Ang appointment paper Oct. 13 pa ang tatak, 'di makakatanggap at makapag-verify until Monday. Medyo inuunawa pa namin bakit nagkaganoon, bakit at the last minute lumipad ang Sec-Gen papuntang Geneva (The acting secretary-general's appointment papers are effective Oct. 13. We're still trying to figure out this development why the secretary general suddenly flew to Geneva)," Casiño said. But civil society lawyer Harry Roque Jr said his group would push through with their plan to file the complaint at 7:16 p.m. Saturday, 12:01 a.m. Sunday, and 9 a.m. Sunday. To prevent technicalities, the civil society's impeachment team earlier said it was planning to file the complaint thrice — on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Casiño said his group was expecting that many lawmakers would eventually endorse the complaint, especially after they read the final draft. He said up to four lawmakers other than party-list lawmakers would likely endorse the complaint. - GMANews.TV