Opposition solons set to file new impeach raps vs Arroyo
First posted 04:23pm (Mla time) May 15, 2006
By Maila Ager
INQ7.net
THE OPPOSITION bloc is set to launch fresh impeachment bid against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“This week, at the resumption of Congress, the impeachment team lead by Congressman Ronaldo Zamora will be fully activated,” House Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero told reporters on Monday.
This came with a strong warning that opposition members who would not support the new impeachment move “must no longer stay in the minority.”
"The position of the minority to support an impeachment move against the President is clear. We will stand by it and each member must support this stand," he said.
"There's a growing sentiment that those who will not support it must no longer stay in the minority," Escudero said.
"This is not a challenge to our members. This is the position of the minority that its members must support the impeachment because it's a process to make the President accountable or make her answer all the charges being hurled against her," he said.
Arroyo’s foes at the House of Representatives tried unsuccessfully to impeach her in September last year over corruption and vote rigging allegations.
Escudero said that based on his initial discussion with Zamora, the recent spate of political killings and the recent Supreme Court rulings against Arroyo’s policies would be included in the new impeachment complaint.
"At the very least, these will all fall under betrayal of public trust," he said.
Though they lost some witnesses, he said the opposition still has "lead characters" ready to testify about the alleged massive cheating during the 2004 presidential polls.
Representatives Gilbert Remulla and Alan Peter Cayetano will again serve as spokespersons of the group, said Escudero.