Palace meet with 185 solons tackled impeachment - JDV

(Updated 1:45 p.m.) Contrary to his allies' earlier claims, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr confirmed on Thursday that the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was discussed during an "emergency meeting" in Malacañang. Radio dzBB reported that De Venecia, who was among the 185 majority congressmen who attended the early-morning meeting with President Arroyo, hinted the fate of the impeachment bid may be known by noon. In a separate report, dzBB quoted Kampi member and Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis as saying that the emergency meeting called by Mrs Arroyo was indeed a "loyalty check" on the President's allies in the Lower House. De Venecia earlier said he is not keen on referring the complaint against President Arroyo to the House justice committee. He has until Nov. 11 to refer the complaint to the committee. This, after Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran’s disclosed a P2-million bribe offer made by an official of Mrs Arroyo’s political party, in exchange for the solon’s endorsement for a weak impeachment complaint against the President. In the interview, De Venecia said they also discussed during their meeting the passage of the P1.227-trillion budget for 2008, and the cheaper medicines bill. In an earlier interview on radio dzBB, Rep. Roque Ablan Jr said the impeachment bid was not taken up during the meeting with Arroyo. Ablan, a Lakas-CMD stalwart, said they merely discussed ongoing efforts to pass the P1.227-trillion national budget for 2008. He said about 185 members of Congress attended the meeting. Ablan also said De Venecia was to meet again with Arroyo during the day. - GMANews.TV