More converts seen as JDV gives ‘testimony’ in impeach rap

MANILA, Philippines - Backers of the latest impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expect to gain more supporters at the House of Representatives, with the expected testimony of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr - a former ally of the President. Jose de Venecia III, one of the impeachment complaint's proponents on Monday said the former House Speaker's testimony at the House hearing will be tantamount to "direct evidence" that will be crucial in the determination of the complaint's sufficiency in substance. "Palagay ko kasi ito direct evidence na ito (I think this is directg evidence). (This is a) testimony on facts, which is important for sufficiency in substance," the younger De Venecia said in an interview on dzXL radio. For his part, House Justice Committee chairman Matias Defensor Jr. said they are not counting out a scenario similar to the impeachment of then President Joseph Estrada in 2000. In a separate interview on dzBB radio, Defensor said congressmen can "cross party lines" if they are convinced the evidence behind the impeachment complaint is sufficient. "Ang masasabi ko riyan, totoong maraming kaalyado ang administration. Ang impeachment napakalaking bagay kung sakaling totoo ang akusasyon ang kongresista can cross party lines (Yes, the administration has many allies in the House of Representatives. But the impeachment is a big thing. If many are convinced about the evidence, they will cross party lines)," Defensor said. "The congressmen will do away with partisan politics and alliances and determine what is good for the country," he added. Earlier, the elder De Venecia endorsed the impeachment complaint while in the United States. The former House Speaker had a falling out with the President after his son linked personalities close to the Palace to a $329.48-million broadband network deal mess. The younger De Venecia said his father is expected to affirm that he was offered P500,000 to quash an impeachment bid against President Arroyo last year by having him support a weaker impeachment complaint. "Ipinadala sa opisina niya sa Speaker's office ng PLLO, OP yan. Isa sa allegation niya panunuhol ng kongresista last year para i-quash ang impeachment complaint (The money was brought to the Speaker's office through the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, which is under the Office of the President. That was so he would quash a stronger impeachment bid by endorsing a weaker impeachment complaint)," the younger De Venecia said. For his part, the former House Speaker's lawyer Raul Lambino narrated in a separate radio interview that President Arroyo and De Venecia met at the Palace. It was there where President Arroyo told him to endorse the weaker impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Roberto Rafael "Roel" Pulido. The Pulido complaint was based mainly on the $329.48-million ZTE broadband deal mess. "Sabi ni Joe de V, hindi ko puwedeng iendorso yan kasi sham yan, bogus na impeachment yan. Mas marami nga yung charges laban sa akin diyan kesa sa iyo bakit ko ieendorso yan? Doon nag-umpisa ang pagpe-pressure. Pine-pressure siya ng Pangulong Arroyo i-endorse ang complaint na iyan ... Sabi ni Joe de V, pag pilit ninyo magle-leave ako bilang Speaker (Joe de V said he cannot endorse the Pulido complaint because it had more charges against him than against Arroyo. He said he would rather go on leave than endorse it. That was when the Palace started pressuring him)," Lambino said in an interview on dwIZ radio. When asked if the former speaker accepted the P500,000, Lambino said a PLLO staff brought the P500,000 to his office Oct. 11. "Nasa kanya ang gift bag na iyan. Hindi pa niya nababawasan. As is, kung ano ang original (He still has the gift bag. The money has not been touched)," he said. Lambino said this would be "explosive" and an obstruction of justice, as the Palace gave P500,000 not only to congressmen but also to governors. "That is obstruction of justice... That is subordination of witness to commit perjury. That is a culpable violation of the Constitution lalo ang pamimigay ng P500,000 bawa't congressmen (especially the attempt to give congressmen P500,000)," he added. The younger De Venecia said the former Speaker is also expected to tell about his firsthand knowledge of the ZTE broadband deal mess and the Northrail project. "Sa minority party definitely nakuha niya ang suporta completely ng minority party at ibang kongresista. Siguro magbabago ang opinion nila sa allegation kay Gng. Arroyo dahil sa lalabas (He already has the support of the minority bloc in the House. Perhaps there will be some converts who will change the way they see Mrs. Arroyo after they listen to my father)," the younger De Venecia said. - GMANews.TV