'Time might not be enough to rule on Ombudsman impeach raps by June'
JOHANNA CAMILLE SISANTE, GMANews.TV
05/19/2009 | 02:34 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives might not be able to decide on the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez before the end of Congress' second regular session in June, Justice committee chair Matias Defensor Jr. said Tuesday.
In an interview with reporters after the panel's hearing on the complaint, Defensor - whose committee has yet to decide on the complaint's substance - said there might not be enough time for the House to vote on the Ombudsman's impeachment in plenary as there are only eight session days left before Congress adjourns on June 6.
"Ang problema lang natin ngayon ay ‘yung ating time constraints [Our only problem is time constraints]," Defensor said, noting that under the rules, the plenary can calendar the complaint for deliberation within as many as 10 session days.
The House holds session from Monday to Wednesday. Still awaiting plenary decisions are several priority measures such as the comprehensive agrarian reform program extension bill, the reproductive health bill, and the controversial resolution amending the Charter's economic provisions.
Defensor's committee was supposed to deliberate on the complaint's substance during the hearing earlier in the day, but it ultimately decided to defer deliberations for the next meeting.
Upon the motion of one of the complaint's endorsers, deputy minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, the committee decided to give the pro and anti impeachment panels one and a half hour each to present their sides in the next committee hearing, which Defensor said might be held next week.
Aside from Ocampo, the 33-page complaint was endorsed by fellow Bayan Muna Representatives Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares, Akbayan Representatives Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Walden Bello, Gabriela Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan, Anakpawis Representatives Rafael Mariano and Joel Maglunsod, Cibac Representatives Joel Villanueva and Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III.
In March, former Senate president Jovito Salonga and 30 other civil society leaders filed the complaint, which charged Gutierrez with betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution in the handling of several corruption cases dragging the names of high-ranking government officials.
The high-profile cases include the controversial poll automation deal with Mega Pacific corruption, the World Bank project-bidding mess stemming from alleged collusion of Filipinos firms, and the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, among others.
Gutierrez has repeatedly denied the allegations. - GMANews.TV --
In an interview with reporters after the panel's hearing on the complaint, Defensor - whose committee has yet to decide on the complaint's substance - said there might not be enough time for the House to vote on the Ombudsman's impeachment in plenary as there are only eight session days left before Congress adjourns on June 6.
"Ang problema lang natin ngayon ay ‘yung ating time constraints [Our only problem is time constraints]," Defensor said, noting that under the rules, the plenary can calendar the complaint for deliberation within as many as 10 session days.
The House holds session from Monday to Wednesday. Still awaiting plenary decisions are several priority measures such as the comprehensive agrarian reform program extension bill, the reproductive health bill, and the controversial resolution amending the Charter's economic provisions.
Defensor's committee was supposed to deliberate on the complaint's substance during the hearing earlier in the day, but it ultimately decided to defer deliberations for the next meeting.
Upon the motion of one of the complaint's endorsers, deputy minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, the committee decided to give the pro and anti impeachment panels one and a half hour each to present their sides in the next committee hearing, which Defensor said might be held next week.
Aside from Ocampo, the 33-page complaint was endorsed by fellow Bayan Muna Representatives Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares, Akbayan Representatives Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Walden Bello, Gabriela Representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan, Anakpawis Representatives Rafael Mariano and Joel Maglunsod, Cibac Representatives Joel Villanueva and Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III.
In March, former Senate president Jovito Salonga and 30 other civil society leaders filed the complaint, which charged Gutierrez with betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution in the handling of several corruption cases dragging the names of high-ranking government officials.
The high-profile cases include the controversial poll automation deal with Mega Pacific corruption, the World Bank project-bidding mess stemming from alleged collusion of Filipinos firms, and the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, among others.
Gutierrez has repeatedly denied the allegations. - GMANews.TV --
