Bantay Impeachment

A broad united front emerges

2005-09-06T16:51:00.000+08:00

Following are statements by Independent Bloc leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur C. Ocampo on the march-rally near the Batasan held today:

“The killing of the impeachment is a frustrated murder of the oust-Arroyo movement.

“The events in the House only propelled the formation of various alliances and coalitions now composing a broad united front against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They are justly outraged by the sell-out and cover-up.

“The emergence of the broad united front against Mrs. Arroyo proves that there is hope beyond her disgraced presidency.

“Today’s march is a preview of things to come. People Power may or may not happen today, but rest assured, it will eventually come. More and bigger demonstrations are needed and this is where the broad united front could perform a crucial role.

“Malacañang spokespersons only have themselves to fool when they say People Power would not happen at all. To them, I say: Don’t be too sure. Two overly-confident presidents have been dealt lessons in humility and justice by People Power. What more an illegitimate president whose allies killed a constitutional process seeking her accountability?

“I take exception to the baseless Malacañang spin that the people are tired of People Power. They are not. They are tired of traditional politics that champions cheaters, liars and thieves. They are tired of heavy taxes, high prices and low wages. They are tired of crime and acts of terrorism especially those by government. They are tired of the crisis-stricken Arroyo government. Contrary to Palace claims, People Power will provide the people relief and reprieve.

“The galaxy of political stars in the broad united front may be the starting point towards the setting up of a Transition Council that can replace the rotten and bankrupt Arroyo presidency. The leaders can start off by showing competence in leading the anti-Arroyo struggle until victory. Subsequently, a national assembly or conference must be able to draft a reform-oriented program of government and elect Transition Council leaders en route to Arroyo’s removal.

“To be superior to the previous ones, the next People Power must result in a government that shall provide power to workers, farmers and other democratic sectors and institute honest-to-goodness reforms beneficial to the people and not the kind of pro-imperialist and elitist reforms shoved down our throats by Mrs. Arroyo.”

House fails moral and political test

2005-09-06T16:00:00.000+08:00

Following is the statement of Independent Bloc leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur C. Ocampo on the outcome of the House vote on the impeachment of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo:

“The people’s hope for truth and change has inexorably passed on from Congress to the Parliament of the Streets.

“The House leadership is obviously disinterested in the truth. Instead they preferred a cover-up. They harp on the Rule of Law but they obviously violated, misused and misinterpreted the Constitution and other laws in their pursuit of protecting the No. 1 Cheat, Liar, Thief and Human Rights Violator.

“Thus, the House leadership failed this signal moral and political test that sought their setting aside partisanship in favor of the greater good and the demands for truth, justice and public accountability. The events since yesterday confirmed yet again the widespread public perception of the House as a most reactionary institution, a chamber of patronage, a safe haven of and for the worst traditional politicians, protector of rogues, if not a rogue gallery itself.

“Indeed, it is now up to the people – the true final arbiter and source of all power – to determine the fate of Mrs. Arroyo. The President may be able to buy and influence the House but she cannot fool and escape the wrath of the people.”

TXTPower urges texters, public to make last ditch text lobby

2005-09-03T16:05:00.000+08:00

Dear texters and kababayans,

Join us in TXTPower in convincing Members of Congress to endorse the amended impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Doing so will help the nation attain a truly good government that is honest, with integrity and transparency, and fully accountable to and in service of the people.

The challenge for us today is to make known to Members of Congress that we want no cover-up, that we want Mrs. Arroyo to have a fair trial in the Senate, and that we want all pieces of evidence to be presented in order to ferret out the truth. Our target is to obtain the support of more than 79 solons.

Taking inspiration from the power of texting in People Power II and the role of common people like us in social change, please find time to text your congressperson who may have not signed the amended impeachment complaint.

Here are sample text messages you may send:

1) Dear Sir/Madame: Be a champion of truth, fairness, integrity and good government. Don't be part of the cover-up. Pls. endorse the amended impeach raps against GMA. Thank you!

2) Congressman/woman, my family and I ask you to be our champion in Congress. We want the truth to come out. We do not want a cover-up. Pls. endorse the amended impeach raps against GMA. Thank you.

3) Congressman/woman, sana po ay kaisa kayo ng mga kababayan na gustong malaman ang katototohanan. Kung maaari sana, i-endorso ninyo ang amended impeachment complaint. Salamat po.

You may also email or call their offices. Congress Trunkline is (02) 9315001 while the website www.congress.gov.ph contains a directory of Congresspersons, their office addresses, their telephone and fax numbers and email addresses.

Our Congresspersons and more importantly, ourselves, should realize that the will of the people – who are the real sovereign power in the country – shall ultimately prevail.

For truth, justice and genuine change,

TXTPower Convenors

CONGRESSPERSONS AND THEIR CELLPHONE NUMBERS:

Jose Emilio A. Abaya (1st Dist., Cavite) 09175248404

Harlin C. Abayon (1st Dist., Northern Samar) 09178366153

Hussin U. Amin (1st Dist., Sulu) 09209600610

Luis A. Asistio (2nd Dist., Caloocan City) 09178112434

Augusto H. Baculio (2nd Dist., Misamis Oriental) 09189028638

Leovigildo B. Banaag (1st Dist., Agusan del Norte) 09189117255

Roseller L. Barinaga (2nd Dist., Zamboanga del Norte) 09177240093

Fergenel G. Biron (4th Dist., Iloilo) 09189047685

Belma A. Cabilao (Lone Dist., Zamboanga del Sur) 09189342989

Roberto C. Cajes (2nd Dist., Bohol) 09192838323

Carmen L. Cari (5th Dist., Leyte) 09183416823

Edgar M. Chatto (1st Dist., Bohol) 09173040391

Eufrocino M. Codilla Sr. (4th Dist., Leyte) 09173060176

Marcos O. Cojuangco (5th Dist., Pangasinan) 09189100571

Vincent P. Crisologo (1st Dist., Quezon City) 09174559982

Guillermo P. Cua (Partylist Coop-Nattco) 09189271092

Junie E. Cua (Lone Dist., Quirino) 09189190281

Baisendig G. Dilangalen (1st Dist., Maguindanao) 09213779890

Faustino DG. Dy III (3rd Dist., Isabela) 09178311311

Glenda B. Ecleo (1st Dist., Surigao del Norte) 09184136861

Conrado M. Estrella III (6th Dist.,Pangasinan) 09175372314

Catalino V. Figueroa (2nd Dist., Western Samar) 09176257483

Janette L. Garin (1st Dist., Iloilo) 09173023021

Oscar L. Gozos (4th Dist., Batangas) 09175043491

Joey D. Hizon(5th Dist., Manila) 09195835410

Gregorio T. Ipong (2nd Dist., North Cotabato) 09179797848

Eladio M. Jala (3rd Dist., Bohol) 09173040165

Uliran T. Joaquin (1st Dist., Laguna) 09188898888

Josefina M. Joson (1st Dist., Nueva Ecija) 09175665923

Danilo P. Lagbas (1st Dist., Misamis Oriental) 09177077624

Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. (1st Dist., Makati City) 09189183117

Jaime C. Lopez (2nd Dist., Manila) 09178408006

Emilio C. Macias II (2nd Dist., Negros Oriental) 09196945755

Maria Milagros Magsaysay (1st Dist., Zambales) 09178467881

Oscar G. Malapitan (1st Dist., Caloocan City) 09189385812

Hermilando I. Mandanas (2nd Dist., Batangas) 09178998828

Alfredo D. Maranon (2nd Dist., Negros Occidental) 09202155184

Rafael P. Nantes (1st Dist., Quezon) 09202901532

Herminia M. Ramiro (2nd Dist., Misamis Oriental) 09163900175

Jesus Crispin C. Remulla (3rd Dist., Cavite) 09189105809

Victoria H. Reyes (3rd Dist., Batangas) 09175397512

Joseph A. Santiago (Lone Dist., Catanduanes) 09189059099

Antonio M. Serapio (2nd Dist., Valenzuela) 09279122368

Rene M. Velarde (Partylist BUHAY) 09189416716

Romualdo T. Vicencio (2nd Dist., Northern Samar) 09177321847

Laurence B. Wacnang (Lone Dist., Kalinga) 09178178966

Antonio P. Yapha Jr. (3rd Dist., Cebu) 09168537920

Dr. Carol Araullo writes on "Political rot"

2005-09-01T15:08:00.000+08:00

A commentary from Dr. Carol Pagaduan Araullo, chairperson of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance) to be published in her Streetwise column in the BusinessWorld:

Pro-administration congressmen were gloating as they hammered the last nail into the coffin of the impeachment process versus Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

They had done their “jobs”. They had used their majority in the Justice Committee to kill the amended Lozano complaint. It was the only substantive complaint filed that would have had a ghost of a chance of going to trial in the Senate.

They then proceeded, with pretended seriousness, to determine sufficiency in form and substance of the Lozano complaint. They finally dismissed the latter with the smugness of men who wield the power of numbers but who fail abjectly to demonstrate any shred of moral integrity nor even a modicum of respect for the rule of law.

The pro-impeachment solons, the protesters calling on GMA’s removal from office by any means possible and those who thought the impeachment process would bring out the truth and make Mrs. Arroyo accountable were stunned by the indecent haste and uncharacteristic efficiency with which the Justice Committee disposed of its work.

It was crass railroading utilizing only the most feeble of rationalizations. According to the Counsels for the Defense of Civil Liberties (CODAL):

“It must be noted that, while the Majority portrayed themselves as strict constitutionalist in dismissing the Amended Complaint they were leniently ‘extra-constitutionalist’ in finding the Lozano complaint properly verified, and therefore sufficient in form, in violation of the requirements of the House Rules and the Constitution. The basis of their decision in finding the Lozano Complaint insufficient in substance, is neither strict nor lenient -- because it simply was not based on any rule or law.”

“Verification is when the author of the pleading or complainant attests that: S/he prepared the complaint, and the contents thereof are ‘true and correct’ of his ‘own personal knowledge’ and based on ‘authentic or official documents/records’. Lozano did not state this in his complaint. Therefore his complaint is not verified.”

“It was, however, difficult for the Justice Committee to dismiss the Lozano Complaint for insufficiency in form. They had just previously dismissed the Amended Complaint because the Lozano complaint was supposedly ‘initiated’ first. Dismissing the Lozano complaint on form insufficiency is tantamount to calling the Amended complaint ‘a second complaint’ to a first complaint that was, in the end, not a complaint at all as required by the Rules.”

“On the other hand, the Committee on Justice found the Lozano complaint insufficient in substance because it charges an offense that was outside the current ‘term’ of President Arroyo (having been committed before her term started on June 30, 2004) and that the Lozano complaint is based on the ‘Garci tapes’ which is inadmissible in evidence.”

“The Justice Committee interpretation…makes it impossible for the President to commit betrayal of public trust through electoral fraud because this can only be committed by any president (or any public official for that matter), before their term -- elections happen before the start of the term of a public official...The Constitution did not contemplate this absurdity, which is tantamount to exempting public officials from impeachment for electoral fraud.”

“The justice committee should…merely judge whether electoral fraud, if true, constitutes an election offense -- without looking into whether the evidence that will back up this allegation is admissible since such is a matter of defense for Pres. Arroyo to raise and for the Senate to decide…”

The pro-Gloria majority in Congress has committed the condemnable act of suppressing the truth and subverting the Constitution they swear by through the use of sheer force of numbers and the deliberately erroneous application of rules and jurisprudence.

Although demonstrators calling for Mrs. Arroyo’s ouster came out in force and the middle forces composed of students, church people and professionals as well as prominent personalities such as Ms. Susan Roces and Bishop Antonio Tobias filled the gallery of the plenary hall, the anticipated spontaneous upheaval did not materialize.

Why so? We can only speculate on some key factors. Malacañang and GMA subalterns in Congress succeeded in their tactic of preventing the impeachment proceedings from becoming a venue where damning evidence could initially be brought out and examined under the public’s watchful eye. The reduction of the proceedings to a legalistic debate on procedure rather than on substance wore out the patience and interest of the people until many just tuned off.

This situation is a far cry from the Estrada impeachment trial where the people were riveted to their television screens watching the day-to-day revelations of Estrada wrongdoing until the climax of the suppression of evidence in the “second envelope” that led to the walk-out of the prosecution and triggered people power-2.

The opposition estimates it needs more time to win over the last few votes to reach the 79 needed to impeach Mrs. Arroyo despite the unfavorable Justice Committee report.

Pro-GMA camp estimates that they still have a sufficient number to defeat any other maneuvers the opposition may resort to without provoking public outrage of EDSA-1 or EDSA-2 proportions. They wish to gift Mrs. Arroyo with the image of having emerged victorious from the impeachment battle in Congress before she leaves for the US this month.

On the surface, it appears that the pro-GMA representatives not only have the upper hand numerically, but have superior tactics and better estimates as well, including a more accurate reading of the public mind.

But not really. The more the pro-GMA forces resort to the tyranny of sheer numbers, quid-pro-quos, under the table deals, and other sordid political maneuvers, the more they educate the people in a negative way on what Congress really is and stands for – not the rule of law, not truth nor justice, and certainly not good government nor the welfare of the people.

Even if the premeditated killing of the impeachment process by the pro-GMA congressmen doesn’t result in a spontaneous outpouring of popular outrage at this time, it doesn’t mean GMA is off the hook and has decisively won the battle for the people’s hearts and minds.

The Arroyo administration looks to frustrating the impeachment process to earn a new lease on life. It only manages to further expose the rot of the oppressive political system it currently lords over. That is something the Arroyo clique does not have the means to contend with.

CODAL: Why the impeachment complaint will still prosper

2005-08-31T23:30:00.000+08:00

BACKGROUND

The House Committee on Justice found the Lozano Complaint sufficient in form but insufficient in substance, tonight, 31 August 2005. Although the Lozano complaint was not verified as required in the Constitution and the Rules of Impeachment of the 13th Congress, the Committee declared that because Lozano is a lawyer, he is bound by his lawyer’s oath to tell the truth and therefore there is no need to verify the complaint. Furthermore, since he is the complainant himself, there is no need to verify the same.

On the other hand, the Committee on Justice found the Lozano complaint insufficient in substance because it charges offenses committed before the current ‘term’ of President Arroyo (having been committed before her term started on June 30, 2004) and that the Lozano complaint is based on the Garci tapes which is inadmissible in evidence.

It must be noted that, while the Majority portrayed themselves as strict constitutionalist in dismissing the Amended Complaint they were leniently ‘extra-constitutionalist’ in finding the Lozano complaint properly verified, and therefore sufficient in form, in violation of the requirements of the House Rules and the Constitution. The basis of their decision in finding the Lozano Complaint insufficient in substance, is neither strict or lenient—because it simply was not based on any rule or law.

I. Is Lozano Complaint sufficient in form even if it was not verified as required by the House Rules ?

No, it was not sufficient in form.

RULE II SECTION 2 of the House Rules on Impeachment requires that for an impeachment proceedings to be ‘initiated’ the Complaint must be verified.

Section 2. Mode of Initiating Impeachment. - Impeachment shall be initiated by the filing and subsequent referral to the Committee on Justice of:

(a) a verified complaint for impeachment filed by any Member of the House of Representatives or;

(b) a verified complaint filed by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof; or

(c) a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment filed by at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House.

Verification is when the author of the pleading or the complainant attests that: S/he prepared the complaint, and the contents thereof are ‘true and correct’ of his or her ‘own personal knowledge’ and based on ‘authentic or official documents/records’. Lozano did not declare this in his complaint. Therefore his complaint is not verified.

Can you use ‘interpretation’ or ‘construction’ in this case? The majority themselves have repeatedly declared during the debates, using a Supreme Court rule, that when the ‘rules or the law is clear, there is no room for interpreting or construction’. In this case the rule is clear: it must be verified in order for an impeachment complaint to be initiated, but the Committee stretched the definition of what is verified to accommodate the complaint. It was not verified, but the Committee found it sufficient in form. In fact, without the verified Amended Complaint which cured the Lozano Complaint’s defects, no impeachment proceedings was initiated.

Another Supreme Court jurisprudence comes into play: ‘When the rule or the law does not distinguish, one should not distinguish’ and supplant the letter and intent of that particular rule or law. The Constitution and the Rules said a complaint must be verified—it did not provide that lawyers or complainants are exempted. The Justice Committee, therefore, cannot exempt. They cannot distinguish. Declaring that the Lozano complaint is verified merely because he is the complainant and a lawyer at that, is clearly without legal and constitutional basis.

It was, however, difficult for the Justice Committee to dismiss the Lozano Complaint for insufficiency in form. They have just previously dismissed the Amended Complaint because the Lozano complaint was ‘initiated’ first. Dismissing the Lozano complaint on form insufficiency is tantamount to calling the Amended complaint ‘a second complaint’ to a first complaint which was, in the end, not a complaint at all as required by the Rules.

II. Is the Lozano complaint insufficient in substance because it dealt with an offense which happened outside the current term of Pres. Arroyo and also uses ‘evidence’ that is inadmissible? No, these bases are practically non-existent.

Firstly, the rule does not require the Justice Committee to go beyond what is required to establish substance. The 13th Congress’ Impeachment Rules declare that substance is met if ‘there is a recital of facts constituting the offense charged and determinative of the jurisdiction of the Committee’. This merely means that the complaint must allege facts, which if true, would constitute impeachable offenses. There is no room for debating whether the facts are true or not, as this is not the stage where guilt and innocence are established.

The Lozano complaint alleges, inter alia, that Pres. Arroyo committed the impeachable offense of betrayal of public trust when she talked with a Comelec official and further, she committed electoral fraud as evidenced by the Garci tapes.

The Justice Committee should, therefore, merely judge whether electoral fraud, if true, constitutes an impeachable offense—without looking into whether the evidence that will back up this allegation is admissible since such is a matter of defense for Pres. Arroyo to raise and for the Senate to decide. Even if the Justice Committee will not agree that a candidate talking with a Comelec official she appointed and may reappoint, constitutes a betrayal of public trust, the allegation of electoral fraud is sufficient for the Lozano complaint to pass substance. Electoral fraud is certainly an impeachable offense.

Secondly, electoral fraud is a betrayal of public trust as it violates the oath of office of the Pres. Arroyo and the principle that public office is a public trust. Furthermore, the Framers of the 1987 Constitution have declared that electoral fraud is part of the impeachable offense of betrayal of public trust. The Constitutional Commission debated the proposal of Comm. Blas Ople to add the impeachable offense of ‘manifest and gross disregard of the popular will’ through “massive election frauds” (Constitutional Commission Journal II, page 24, 28 July 1986). The Commission decided that massive electoral fraud is already encompassed by “betrayal of public trust”.

Mr. Sarmiento: My humble opinion, x x x is that the words “Manifest and gross disregard of the popular will’ is included in the catch-all provisions betrayal of public trust and violation of the Constitution.

Mr. Ople: I grant that, x x x

Mr. Ople: Is it also the intention of the Commission to make this offense part of ‘betrayal of public trust”, which is the latest ground for impeachment adduced in the provision?

Mr. Monsod: Madam President, the Committee agrees with the opinions of Comms. Concepcion and Bernas that the phrase ‘manifest and gross disregard of the popular will is more limiting and, secondly, this offense could be considered embraced in the other grounds for impeachment. . .

The President (Munoz-Palma): So, for the record, the first proposed amendment is withdrawn ?

Mr. Ople: Yes, on that understanding, which I hope the record of this debate will very clearly register x x x.

Electoral fraud is therefore, an impeachable offense if committed by the President or vice president etc. The Justice Committee interpretation, however, (that the President cannot be charged for acts committed before her term of office) makes it impossible for the President to commit betrayal of public trust through electoral fraud because this can only be committed by any president (or any public official for that matter), before their term—elections happen before the start of the term of a public official. Also, under the Justice Committee interpretation, if the President committed electoral fraud at the end of her term, then she may no longer be impeached as her term is about to end anyway. The Constitution did not contemplate this absurdity, which is tantamount to exempting public officials from impeachment for electoral fraud.

Lastly, Fr. Bernas expounded that since the penalty of impeachment is removal and disqualification from holding a public office, the period within which the fraud was committed is of no moment. If Pres. Arroyo were found guilty by an impeachment trial for electoral fraud during her first ‘term’ she would have been disqualified anyway, which is no graver than if she were found guilty under her second term and thereby also removed from office.

The jurisprudence on re-election interpreted as the electorates’ ‘forgiveness’ of an erring public official (Gov. Rodolfo Aguinaldo case, etc) is not applicable. These public officials committed acts, other than electoral fraud such as administrative violations or launching a coup. In this case, Pres. Arroyo committed the crime which is the very heart of the act of ‘forgiveness’—electoral fraud. How can we say that her re-election absolved her of her crimes when her re-election itself is the crime.

III. Can the 1/3 vote in plenary overturn the dismissal of the Amended Complaint ?

Yes, it can. The Committee can dismiss any or all complaints via majority vote and subsequently report such dismissal to the Plenary. The Constitution states that the Committee Report can be reversed by 1/3 of all the members of the House. Therefore, the 1/3 can reverse all or any part of the Committee report. Seventy-nine (79) members of the House therefore can reverse any Committee decision, draft the Articles of Impeachment or transmit/endorse the Amended Complaint (which includes the Lozano Complaint) to the Senate. The Committee has to include in their report the DISMISSAL of the Amended Complaint. Why? Because it was referred to the Committee by the Plenary, and the Committee is duty bound to report its dismissal of the same.

Whether or not the Amended Complaint is a second complaint, is a matter of defense that may be raised by Pres. Arroyo in the Senate. Pres. Arroyo may even waive that defense if she prefers to have her day in court and answer the Complaint. The House exceeded its jurisdiction when it usurped what is rightfully a decision reserved for the Senate trial court. The task of the House is to merely initiate the impeachment case—finding whether its sufficient in form and substance, not on whether a complaint is a second or third complaint.

IV. Is ‘creeping’ impeachment allowed ?

Yes, the Complaint can be endorsed to the Senate at any time, when the Complaint is signed by 79 members. The Constitution instituted the device of the ‘1/3 votes’ overruling the whole House precisely to ensure a speedy resolution of the issue. The Constitution precisely defined the specific periods within which to resolve the Complaint to ensure that the process is not prolonged. Furthermore, why would the Justice Committee be allowed to spend time (60 session days) investigating a complaint, when its decision can be overruled anyway by the 79 votes. The 79 can always endorse any Complaint it wishes to endorse at any stage in the proceedings, especially at the stage of the Committee Report to the plenary, as this is provided for by the Constitution. (Please see CODAL Legal Memorandum on ‘creeping impeachment’). So, if the 1/3 vote is achieved, jurisdiction transfers to the Senate and it is but a ministerial duty on the part of the House to transmit the Article of Impeachment, which will be drafted by the endorsers who will form the prosecution panel. It is also ministerial on the House to approve the prosecution panel. The Majority cannot intervene in the drafting of the Complaint or the selection of the prosecution panel. Only those that found ‘probable cause’ in the complaint can participate in its prosecution.

Six signatures away from impeaching GMA; Bro. Eddie prays over pro-impeach group

2005-08-31T15:58:00.000+08:00

In a speech before the House justice committee, administration Rep. Edmund Reyes announced that the pro-impeachment group has so far gathered 73 signatures and commitments to sign the amended impeachment complaint.

"We only need six more signatures," said Reyes, adding that they are challenging other House members to join them for the immediate transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial.

Warm applause greeted Reyes' speech from the gallery audience including Bro. Eddie Villanueva, former presidential standard-bearer of Bangon Pilipinas.

Activists also began shouting anti-Arroyo slogans after Reyes' speech, prompting robotic security personnel in fatigues to restrain and drag them out of the session hall. Congresspersons prevented the security personnel from roughing up the activists.

Outside the session hall, pro-impeachment solons welcomed Reyes who left the justice committee meeting after delivering his speech.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva later prayed over the pro-impeachment solons and asked for Divine blessings to them and to the nation.

Minority walks out vs. Palace ploy to speed up "murder" of impeach raps

2005-08-30T18:10:00.000+08:00

Pro-impeachment members of Congress late this afternoon walked out of the justice committee hearing following brazen attempts by anti-impeachment solons to railroad the "murder" of the impeachment proceedings.

After the regular justice committee meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm, the House plenary convened for a few minutes and called the roll only to adjourn its regular session to purportedly give way for the former to resume its proceedings.

When the justice committee resumed its meeting, pro-impeachment solons were prevented from manifesting their views and comments on the action of the House plenary, including the House deputy speaker Benigno Aquino III.

Members of the minority moved to adjourn the meeting and began a dramatic, emotional walkout. The gallery erupted with cheers and applause for the protesting lawmakers.

About an hour later, the majority-dominated remnants of the justice committee resumed its meeting. As expected, the "rump" session voted overwhelmingly against the Amended Complaint.

Outside the session hall, the minority and the pro-impeachment solons faced the media. They said that they will no longer join the justice committee hearings. They expressed disgust over the maneuvers of the pro-Arroyo majority to kill the impeachment proceedings in haste.

Protests inside and outside Congress today against "murder" of impeach raps

2005-08-30T13:36:00.000+08:00

Bayan Muna today joins other partylist groups and people’s organizations in making their presence felt inside and outside the Batasan Pambansa today the House justice committee resumes its hearings on the impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

A Catholic bishop, the Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias of the Diocese of Novaliches, led the march of about 5,000 protesters from nearby St. Peter’s Church to the Batasan gate.

According to Satur C. Ocampo, Bayan Muna representative and party president, the people’s mass actions wish to put the House on notice that the people would not countenance the cold-blooded, unprincipled and morally-depraved murder of the impeachment complaint as what Palace loyalists would like to happen.

Expected to attend the rally at the Batasan gate are House members led by Minority Leader Francis Escudero, Reps. Alan Peter Cayetano, Butz Aquino, Rolex Suplico, Darlene Custodio and the Independent Bloc of Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño, Joel Virador, Liza Maza, Rafael Mariano and Crispin Beltran.

The solons have invited 1,500 pro-impeachment mass leaders and constituents to witness this afternoon’s proceedings from the gallery of the Plenary Hall.

Leading the protests outside Congress are the Gloria Step Down Movement (GSM), the White Ribbon Movement and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. Joining them are Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women’s Party.

White was the predominant color in the protest, symbolizing the people’s demand for integrity, honesty and good government, according to the White Ribbon Movement, whose members tied white ribbons along Batasan Road and the gates and fences around the Batasan.

Preceding the protests at the Batasan gate was a Mass led by Novaliches Bishop Antonio R. Tobias at nearby St. Peter’s Church and co-sponsored by the Inter-Faith Movement, of which Tobias is a member, and White Ribbon Movement.

CODAL Analysis: Consequence of the dismissal of the amended complaint

2005-08-30T13:30:00.000+08:00

I. THE CONSTITUTION DESCRIBES THE COMPLAINT THAT MAY BE FILED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS “VERIFIED”:

…A verified[1] complaint may be filed by any Member of the House of Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof, which shall be included in the Order of Business within ten session days, and referred to the proper Committee within three session days thereafter. The Committee, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its report to the House within sixty session days from such referral, together with the corresponding resolution. The resolution shall be calendared for consideration by the House within ten session days from receipt thereof… [1987 CONSTITUTION, Art. XI, § 3 (2)]

…In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed… [1987 CONSTITUTION Art. XI, § 3(4)]

II. RULE II SECTION 2 OF THE HOUSE RULES ON IMPEACHMENT REQUIRES THAT FOR AN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS TO BE “INITIATED” THE COMPLAINT MUST BE VERIFIED.

Section 2. Mode of Initiating Impeachment. - Impeachment shall be initiated by the filing and subsequent referral to the Committee on Justice of:
(a) a verified complaint for impeachment filed by any Member of the House of Representatives or;
(b) a verified complaint filed by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof; or
(c) a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment filed by at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the House.

III. THE LOZANO AND LOPEZ COMPLAINTS WERE NOT VERIFIED THEREFORE THESE COULD NOT HAVE INITIATED THE CURRENT IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

The Lozano complaint was filed on 30 June 2005. It was not verified. The Lopez complaint was filed on 4 July 2005. It was also not verified. Since both complaints were not verified, in violation of both the Constitution and the Rules of the House, then it is as if no ‘verified’ complaint has been filed.

The Amended Complaint, verified by Lozano and the other co-complainants was filed on 25 July 2005. Since no complaints have been filed previous to the filing of the Amended Complaint, there is therefore no impeachment complaint before July 25, 2005. The Amended Complaint cured the defect of the Lozano Complaint and triggered the current impeachment proceedings.

IV. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DISMISS THE AMENDED COMPLAINT AS A “SECOND COMPLAINT” SINCE THERE WAS NO “FIRST COMPLAINT” THE LOZANO AND THE LOPEZ COMPLAINTS NOT HAVING BEEN VERIFIED A JURISDICTIONAL REQUIREMENT NECESSARY TO TRIGGER THE INITIATION OF AN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

The move of the Majority to dismiss the Amended Complaint because it is a ‘second complaint’ is therefore without any constitutional or legal basis since no ‘verified’ complaint has been filed previous to it. How can the Amended Complaint be a second complaint when there was no first complaint to initiate the proceedings in the first place?

V. DISMISSING THE AMENDED COMPLAINT RENDERS THE LOZANO COMPLAINT FATALLY DEFECTIVE AND COMPLETELY KILLS THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS

If the Amended Complaint which cured the defect in the original Lozano complaint is dismissed, the Lozano complaint becomes fatally defective. Congress cannot allow Lozano to amend and verify his complaint, as the current Rules of Impeachment does not allow it. Even if Lozano was allowed to subsequently amend his complaint, it becomes a second complaint—having been verified and filed subsequent to the Amended Complaint.

THE DISMISSAL OF THE AMENDED COMPLAINT IS THEREFORE NOTHING MORE THAN A PLOY TO KILL THE ENTIRE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

Today we are burning an effigy of the “Violations of the Rule of Law” to symbolize our disgust at the transgressions committed by Pres. Arroyo through her allies in Congress, of the rule of law which she so strictly enforces on us. Everything we learned from our law books are useless in the face of such a blatant disregard for Constitution and our laws.

Now that the impeachment proceedings is about be killed, CODAL reiterates its position that Pres. Gloria Arroyo must step down or face the peoples’ direct assertion of their constitutional right to choose their leaders through people power.

[1] RULES OF PROCEDURE, RULE II, § 2. A verification, according to case law, is “intended to assure that the allegations in the pleading have been prepared in good faith or are true and correct, not mere speculations…” See Robern Dev't. Corp. v. Quitain, 315 SCRA 150, 159 (1999).

Atty. Neri J. Colmenares
Convenor and Spokesperson
CODAL

Co-complainant group in amended raps tells Congress to proceed with impeachment

2005-08-30T13:29:00.000+08:00

The human rights alliance KARAPATAN -- a co-complainant in the amended impeachment complaint -- today urged members of Congress to stand up for human rights by proceeding with the impeachment raps leveled against Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Attending the impeachment hearing of the House Committee on Justice this afternoon, KARAPATAN Secretary General Marie Hilao-Enriquez said that the impeachment against President Arroyo is historic because for the first time, human rights violations are being included as impeachable acts.

“We urge Congress to take up the amended Lozano complaint not only because it is the more substantial complaint but because it would mean one step forward to advance human rights advocacy in the Philippines,” she said, adding that the complaint warns future chief executives not to take human rights lightly.

The nationwide alliance of human rights organizations holds the Macapagal-Arroyo regime accountable for the massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. “It has come to the point that even international human rights organizations, including the UN, are alarmed over the violations which are committed by state security forces with impunity. This must stop and the Chief Executive and concurrent Commander-in-Chief of the AFP should be held liable for this.”

The amended Lozano complaint cites KARAPATAN in accusing the Macapagal-Arroyo administration of chalking a record 4,207 cases of human rights violations, including killings, frustrated killings, enforced disappearances, illegal arrests and unlawful detention, indiscriminate firing and forcible evacuation, among others, from January 21, 2001-June 30, 2005. These cases affected 232,796 individuals, 24,299 families and 237 communities.

KARAPATAN called on solons to sign the impeachment complaint for the cause of human rights.
“If they truly are pro-human rights, members of Congress should act without hesitation and pursue the impeachment process against Mrs. Arroyo using the amended Lozano complaint. The dreadful human rights record of the Macapagal-Arroyo regime is one fundamental reason why Mrs. Arroyo must be removed from office,” says Hilao-Enriquez.

White Ribbon Movement vows to step up protests over impending "murder" of impeachment

2005-08-29T23:25:00.000+08:00

The White Ribbon Movement (WRM) warns of the impending death blow to the impeachment complaint lodged against Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be dealt by Mrs. Arroyo’s allies in Congress this week. WRM at the same time vows to meet this subversion of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, who are clamoring for truth and justice, with more protests in their, homes, workplaces, schools and certainly in the streets until Mrs. Arroyo is booted out of office.

Starting today, it will deploy teams of its member organizations to tie white ribbons on areas in the major thoroughfare leading up to the Batasan Pambansa to make visible its campaign to protest the intransigence of Mrs. Arroyo in clinging to power despite the people’s demands that she step down.

For three days, the WRM will also troop to the plenary hall of Congress to witness how the majority of pro-administration and anti-impeachment congressional allies of Mrs. Arroyo will use every dirty trick in order to stop the impeachment process, starting with an attempt to have the amended complaint originally filed by 41 congressmen dismissed on technical grounds.

WRM believes that the Lozano complaint is being pushed by the pro-Gloria congressmen since they know that it is a relatively weak complaint that they can eventually shoot down as insufficient in form and substance. In fact, WRM notes that the Lozano complaint was even endorsed by a pro-GMA congressman, Rep. Marcoleta leading many to wonder whether the Lozano complaint was designed to fail while preempting any other complaint from the genuine opposition from progressing and gaining ground.

WRM convenor and spokesperson, UP Student Council Chairperson Marco de los Reyes, said, “ Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts in lying, stealing and murdering will not get away with suppressing the truth this time around. The middle forces have been made aware of the issues and are sufficiently aroused to take more drastic action.”

Another WRM convenor, Dr. Darby Santiago, denounced the duplicity of the GMA regime in pretending to subject itself to the impeachment process while engaging in all means, even unethical and illegal ones, to convince congressmen not to vote for the complaint. Malacañang has in fact been calling Congressmen to cajole and/or threaten them to toe the line. An illegal and highly questionable government raid against a likely opposition expert witness was even recently conducted to harass the opposition and tamper or destroy documentary evidence that could be used against Mrs. Arroyo in the impeachment proceeds, both in the House and the Senate.

WRM and the Interfaith for Truth, Justice and Genuine Change will attend a Mass for the Nation tomorrow, 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church in Quezon City. Bishop Antonio Tobias will be the main celebrant.

After the mass, members of the Gloria Step Down Movement (GSM) will march from the Church toward Batasang Pambansa. Fr. Joe Dizon, spokesperson of the GSM said, “We want to remind our legislators that the people are watching. If they do not uphold truth and justice, if they do not stand by the interest of the people, the power of the people will again prove to be the most effective means to push for a change in government.

The White Ribbon Movement (WRM) is a movement of church people, professionals, the academe including students, non-government organizations and other concerned Filipinos calling on Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign because she has lost the trust and confidence of the people in light of unanswered charges of election fraud, bribery and wanton use of government funds and illegal gambling money for campaign purposes in the 2004 national elections and the subsequent cover-up of such high crimes.

Bishop Tobias to lead Inter-Faith Movement in mass, protests on Aug. 30

2005-08-29T12:27:00.000+08:00

The Most Rev. Antonio Tobias, Bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches, through the Inter-Faith Movement for Truth, Justice and Genuine Change (IFM), in coordination with the White Ribbon Movement, will celebrate a Holy Mass for the Nation and lead a “collective expression of the people’s vigilance” regarding the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through a march rally towards the Batasang Pambansa tomorrow, August 30, 2005.

The Concelebrated Mass and Ecumenical Prayer Assembly will be held from 10:00 am – 11:30 am in St. Peter Parish, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

Participants of the Holy Mass and March Rally are all encouraged to wear white as a symbol of the people’s quest for Truth, Justice and Genuine Change.

Recognizing that the country is in deep crisis, IFM was established by the Ecumenical Bishops Forum and other faith-based groups to engage religious leaders in the “commitment, vow and life towards the realization of truth, justice and genuine change.”

Bishop Tobias explained the IFM’s four-point basis of unity during a press conference in St. Peter Church today:

The Call for PGMA Resignation: IFM believes that the “Hello Garci” scandal was not just a “lapse in judgment.” In the face of manipulations and plunder of public funds to rig the elections in favor of GMA and Noli, apology is not enough. IFM actively supports PGMA impeachment and/or resignation. IFM affiliates with the White Ribbon Movement in its call for PGMA’s resignation for the good of the people and country. IFM is one with the churches, people’s organizations, political parties and individuals who call for the immediate resignation of GMA for she lost credibility to effectively govern the country. IFM also supports the impeachment complaint against GMA for betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption and bribery.

NO to Charter Change: IFM strongly opposes charter change. Changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary will not produce fundamental changes and social transformation since the same traditional politicians will dominate the law-making body.

Economic and Political Sovereignty: IFM believes that economic and political sovereignty should be promoted in order for our nation to survive. This country must have a clear policy on national sovereignty, land reform and national industrialization, patriotic and scientific culture, and independent foreign policy for development and world peace against aggression.

People Empowerment and Good Governance: IFM believes that empowering the people is an important element in a democratic government. A united and empowered people is our best chance in resolving the crisis and moving forward in the struggle for genuine change. A “new government” after the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime, should be formed by the various groups, sectors and movements especially the worker and peasant sectors.

“It is imperative for us, leaders of Church Institutions, Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions, Religious Congregations and Faith Communities, to exercise our prophetic ministry. This is the time to unite as religious leaders and laity so that the Lord’s prayer, “May they all be one as you Father are in me and I am in you. May they be one in us; so the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21, CCB), may be realized. In behalf of Coordinating Council, I cordially invite you to be part of this movement. Let us champion the Gospel values of truth, justice and genuine change!,” Bishop Tobias asserted.

The IFM is an ecumenical and inter-faith movement composed of Catholic and Protestant Bishops, Muslim leaders, priests, pastors, religious sisters, church workers, seminarians, deaconesses, teachers, formators and lay people who have bonded together to work for truth, justice and genuine change in Philippine society.

With Lozano complaint unverified, dismissing amended complaint kills impeachment process

2005-08-29T11:23:00.000+08:00

Following is a statement from Atty. Neri J. Colmenares, spokesperson and convenor of the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL), a group of lawyers and co-complainants in the amended complaint:

The move of the House majority to treat the Amended Complaint as a separate complaint and dismiss it this week, while approving the fatally defective Lozano complaint, is a ploy to actually kill the entire impeachment process against Pres. Gloria Arroyo.

The original Lozano complaint and even the Lopez complaint were not verified in violation of the Constitution’s requirement that a complaint for impeachment be verified at the time it is filed. Even if the Justice Committee will allow the Lozano complaint to be belatedly verified such will not cure the defect since Lozano will have to re-file his complaint at a date subsequent to the filing of the Amended Complaint which clearly makes the re-filed Lozano complaint a ‘second’ complaint. It would be impossible for the Justice Committee to deem the Lozano complaint filed on its original date of June 30, 2005 when it was only verified at a subsequent date. Therefore, the Lozano complaint would eventually be dismissed without even looking into its substance completely obliterating all impeachments complaints against Pres. Arroyo.

The Section 3 (2), Art. XI of the Constitution and Section 2 of the House Impeachment Rules requires an impeachment complaint to be verified at the date of filing in order to initiate the impeachment proceedings. The failure of Lozano and Lopez to verify their complaints means that they need to cure that defect before it will be deemed filed and initiated. Lozano managed to cure this defect by filing the verified Amended Complaint, together with other co-complainants, on July 25, 2005. No impeachment complaint was therefore filed and initiated until July 25, 2005. Treating the Amended Complaint separately however, and dismissing it, will also result in the invalidation of the Lozano Complaint. The whole ‘prejudicial’ debate therefore is a deceptive ploy by the allies of Pres. Arroyo to dismiss not just the Amended Complaint, but the whole impeachment proceedings and render inutile the constitutional provisions on impeachment.

CODAL is troubled by the pride with which the House Majority announced that the end of the Amended Complaint is near because the Pres. Arroyo’s allies have the numbers. The House, tasked by the Constitution of finding whether there is probable cause to impeach the President, cannot decide on the basis of numbers but rather on whether probable cause in fact exist after a serious effort to investigate the charges. The dismissal of the impeachment proceedings on the basis of number and not on the basis of whether the president committed impeachable offenses will not solve the current crisis but rather exacerbate it. The battle for numbers is, however, not yet over, with the impeachment complaint needing only 10 signatures to reach the necessary 1/3 votes on or before the Justice Committee Report is presented to the plenary sometime after this week. Pres. Arroyo will not resign. She has also killed the impeachment proceedings against her. She has actually paved the only way for the people to resolve this crisis—people power.

Teddy Casiño writes members of House Justice Committee: Wala na ba tayong dangal?

2005-08-29T10:20:00.000+08:00

Dear Colleagues,

I write this letter in the hope of communicating with you directly and honestly regarding the impeachment proceedings.

This week, the Committee is poised to either dismiss or deal a fatal blow to the amended Lozano complaint using the so-called “prejudicial” questions. While killing the impeachment complaint via a technicality is certainly a prerogative of the majority, I ask, have we sunk so low as to agree to such a brazen, shameless parliamentary trick? Have we become so beholden to the President as to abdicate our right to even discuss the merits of her case?

Masyado na itong nakakahiya. Parang wala na tayong sariling dangal at integridad bilang Kongreso. Masyado na tayong nagpapagamit sa Malacañang.

The fact is that there is nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that prevents us from accepting the amended Lozano complaint or consolidating it with the others. The Rules of Court on Criminal Procedure, which are suppletory to the House Impeachment Rules, allow for amendments that may involve both form and substance and may certainly include new allegations and charges.

As for the one-year ban on impeachment proceedings, let us remember that while there are two or three complaints against the President, THERE IS ONLY ONE PROCEEDINGS. The separate complaints were referred by Plenary to the Justice Committee last July 25 at the same time under a single motion! Thus, the much-cited Supreme Court ruling on the Francisco case DOES NOT APPLY because in that case there were two proceedings: the first complaint against Chief Justice Hilario Davide was already dismissed by the Justice Committee before the second complaint was filed and initiated.

The sad part is, I’m sure many of us already know these things but will still vote against the amended Lozano complaint. The Committee hearings have degenerated to a barefaced ploy to obfuscate the issues, avoid any serious discussion of the complaint and save the President’s skin on a mere technicality. SUCH A PLOY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO OUR PEOPLE NOR WILL IT BRING CLOSURE TO THE POLITICAL CRISIS. I hope you are not part of this ugly conspiracy.

As a last point, may I warn all of us that the moment we sabotage the impeachment process, there will be no stopping the people from taking matters into their own hands. People Power will judge not only the President but Congress as well.

The choice is ours to make, my dear colleagues.

Respectfully yours,
Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño

Oust! oust! oust!

2005-08-28T09:05:00.000+08:00

Who let the dogs (and cats) out this time?

This time, it was the watchdog group Bantay Impeachment who brought out dogs, cats and other pets accompanied by their owners at the University of the Philippines’ Sunken Garden in a different protest action to demand yet again the removal of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Dubbed “Dapat Oust Gloria” or DOG, the novel activity heralds week-long protests at the Batasan and elsewhere in Metro Manila as the House justice committee is expected to vote on the pending raps against Arroyo.

Bantay Impeachment claimed dogs are now barking “oust! oust! oust!” not “aw! aw! aw!” especially as members of the House of Representatives loyal to President Arroyo maneuver to kill the pending impeachment raps against her.

The canines wore dog tags bearing the words “oust! oust! oust Gloria!” while their owners flashed their own protest placards. Other protesters brought cats whose owners proclaimed in their placards that they are smelling “something fishy in Congress” while some allege that “rats are overruning the impeachment process.”

Bantay Impeachment convenors explained that “in most homes, there are dogs usually named ‘Bantay’ who guard against thieves. We need similar ‘Bantays’ to guard against Arroyo who is widely perceived as the single biggest thief in the government, and her accomplices in the thievery and the ensuing and continuing cover-up.”

“Our friendly Bantay house dogs would always smell who’s an intruder, a fake or a thief,” said the group. “Bantays would run after these malcontents, assault them and help in catching them, to defend our lives and homes.”

In this case, Bantay Impeachment says that people need to exercise vigilance over the ongoing justice committees in the House. “We already discovered a thief in the act of thievery, and while we would like to bring her to an impeachment court, some are acting like crazed, wild dogs (asong ulol)”.

Joining the rally was Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran who himself is the proud friend of a two-year old black and white dog (crossbreed between an askal and a Japanese spitz) named Dauphin.

“If Dauphin could talk, he would also denounce Macapagal-Arroyo. He watches the news with me and my family every evening, and without doubt his opinion would be the same as ours, – enraged over the underhanded moves of the anti-impeachment Macapagal-Arroyo allies to kill the impeachment complaint,” said Beltran.

Beltran said that fellow lawmakers should delve deep into their consciences and refuse to be a party to the infamous scheme to absolve Macapagal-Arroyo of the serious charges against her.

He said that the least lawmakers can do is to allow the charges to be heard and for the investigations on the said charges to take place unhampered.

He warned that “blocking the impeachment process and dismissing it on insultingly lame and flimsy grounds will force more Filipinos into the streets and demand macapagal-Arroyo’s ouster.”

Bantay Impeachment, which maintains a blog at http://BantayImpeachment.blogsite.com and mailing list at BantayImpeachment@yahoogroups.com, is a campaign initiative of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela partylist groups, the multisectoral alliance Bayan and the broad Gloria Step Down Movement (GSM).

Pet-lovers, pets vs. GMA: DOG (Dapat Oust Gloria)

2005-08-28T00:29:00.000+08:00

Bantay Impeachment Advisory/Invitation:

Pet owners, with their dogs, cats and other pets, invite you to a different protest action for GMA’s removal and against the planned “murder” of the impeachment complaints:

Dapat Oust Gloria (DOG)

Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, 9:00 am, Sunken Garden, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Bantay Impeachment will give “Oust! Oust! Oust!” dog tags to media members who will cover.

Teachers dismayed by Rep. Magsaysay's turn-around

2005-08-26T17:31:00.000+08:00

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers has expressed dismay over AVE party-list representative Eulogio Magsaysay's withdrawal of his signature from the amended impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“We’re deeply disappointed with Rep. Magsaysay’s decision,” said ACT chairperson Antonio Tinio. “As a party-list representative whose constituency comes from the education sector, we expected him to push for the impeachment of Mrs. Arroyo. This is the demand of the overwhelming majority of teachers, education workers, and students nationwide.”

Tinio pointed out that Magsaysay had earlier earned praise from the public for exposing Malacanang’s efforts to undermine the impeachment move in the house by offering bribes to House members.

“It’s ironic that the very first—and so far, the only—representative to withdraw his signature from the amended impeachment complaint should come not from the ranks of so-called trapos but from the party-list bloc,” said Tinio. “It’s doubly ironic that he happens to be an educator and education sector representative.”

Tinio explained that teachers and educational institutions have been among the most vocal in calling for Arroyo’s resignation after the Gloria-Garcillano taped conversations were made public because they realize that core moral and democratic values such as honesty, integrity, and respect for people’s votes are at stake.

“In the case of public school teachers, a number of them have even laid down their lives to protect ballot boxes in past elections,” said Tinio. That’s why they’re keen to have Mrs. Arroyo impeached.”

CODAL: Palace hand seen in Rep. Magsaysay's withdrawal from impeach raps

2005-08-24T16:03:00.000+08:00

Here is a reaction to the decision of AVE Rep. Amang Magsaysay's withdrawal from the impeachment complaint, issued by the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL), one of the co-complainant organizations in the same complaint:

CODAL sees the hand of Malacanang in the recent withdrawal by Rep. Amang Magsaysay (Association of Volunteer Educators Party-list) of his signature in the impeachment complaint, taken in the light of disbursement of road users tax funds, appointment of relatives of members of Congress to juicy government positions and bribery attempts reported by Rep. Rolex Suplico and Rep. Magsaysay himself. The hundreds of millions released by Malacanang to members of the House of Representatives virtually wiped out whatever ‘savings’ gained by the government from the decrease in the Priority Development Assistance Fund of each member of the House imposed in this year’s budget. Pres. Arroyo is being charged with buying the 2004 Presidential Elections. Now, she is suspected of attempting to buy the 2005 impeachment proceedings. In both cases, she used public funds.

Railroading of the impeachment proceedings by using government funds is in itself an impeachable offense. Using tax revenues, such as the aptly called ‘rail-road users tax’, for the private interest of the President belies the governments sincerity in its tax drive to address the fiscal crisis. Offering government positions, including cabinet positions, to weaken the impeachment complaint also violates the dictum that ‘public office is a public trust’.

The claim of Rep. Amang Magsaysay that he is withdrawing his signature because he lacks the personal knowledge if the president indeed committed impeachable offenses is a weak attempt to justify such as shamefaced reversal of position. Rep Magsaysay has personal knowledge of the act of bribing him to ensure that he will not sign the impeachment complaint against Pres. Arroyo. This in itself constitutes an impeachable offense against Pres. Arroyo and it is difficult to understand how Rep. Magsaysay can claim that he has no knowledge that the President committed anything wrong. As a representative of educators who are expected to teach ethics and know right from wrong, the turn around of Rep. Magsaysay violates the principles and advocacies of his constituency.

His claim that he was not furnished a copy of the complaint when he signed it is also untrue. Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares, CODAL convenor and one of the lawyers of the Impeachment Legal Team swears that he personally handed Rep. Magsaysay a copy of the impeachment complaint during one of the meetings of the impeachment group. Furthermore, Rep. Magsaysay could remain as an endorser of the complaint even if he insists ‘he has no personal knowledge’ of the charges.

Fiscals or public prosecutors have no personal knowledge of the information they file in court, and endorsers of the impeachment complaint who will act as prosecutors, may endorse and prosecute said complaint despite lack of personal knowledge. Rep. Magsaysay, if he is true to his avowed commitment to truth and justice should remain as endorser of the complaint. This will really test whether he received ‘benefits’ from Malacanang.

Moves by members of the Majority to lawyer for Pres. Arroyo or weaken the impeachment complaint is not only unethical but is actually violative of Section 14, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution which provides:

Section 14. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

In fact, any member of Congress who decided in one way or the other on impeachment related issues because they were given benefits through the road users tax, appointment of their relatives to juicy government posts or given cash by Malacanang, may be charged for criminal offenses under various anti-graft laws.

The recent developments is a clear sign that Pres. Arroyo does not wish to answer the complaint of the people against her. Unfortunately for Pres. Arroyo, her attempts to avoid being impeached, has led her to commit more impeachable offenses.

Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares
CODAL Convenor and Spokesperson
August 24, 2005.

CODAL: People's interest prejudiced by House decision on prejudicial questions

2005-08-24T15:45:00.000+08:00

One of the impeachment co-complainants, the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL), issued the following legal analysis and statement on the House vote yesterday:

The recent decision of the House majority to discuss ‘prejudicial questions’ first rather than the substance and form of the impeachment complaints, is a clear attempt to kill the Lozano Complaint as Amended in the least ‘disruptive’ manner. The Majority is afraid that killing the impeachment proceedings during the sufficiency in substance and form hearings will not be easy as issues such as whether “it is a second complaint and therefore barred” cannot be directly tackled under said hearings. The hearing on prejudicial questions is the route which will give the Majority the venue to easily dismiss the Amended Complaint, not on the ground of sufficiency in form or substance, but on ‘infirmities’ that the majority will claim to be contrary to the Constitution.

Firstly, the Section 4 of the Rules on Impeachment of the 13th Congress provides that the Justice Committee “shall determine whether the complaint is sufficient in form and substance”. Sufficiency in form requires that the Complaint is properly verified and endorsed. Sufficiency in substance “is met if there is a recital of facts constituting the offense charged and determinative of the jurisdiction of the committee”.[1] This means that the function of the committee is merely to find out if the charges, presuming the allegations in a complaint were true, constitutes impeachable offenses. Nowhere in the rules is the Committee tasked with determining prejudicial questions such as whether a complaint is barred for being a second impeachment complaint. If the Justice Committee will follow its rules, it may only dismiss the Lopez impeachment complaint for insufficiency in form as it was not verified, a fatal mistake on the part of its lawyer-complainant.

Secondly, tackling the “prejudicial questions” will only prolong the hearings, not on the substance of the complaint, but on issues that cannot even be raised by members of Congress. Whether or not the amended complaint is barred as a second complaint is a matter of defense, personal to Pres. Arroyo and cannot be claimed by the Majority on her behalf. Congress should give her the option whether or not to raise that defense. If Pres. Arroyo wants to have her day in court, she may even waive such defense and answer the Amended Complaint point by point. Moves by members of the Majority to lawyer for Pres. Arroyo is not only unethical but is actually violative of Section 14, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution which provides:

Section 14. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

In fact, any member of Congress who decided in one way or the other on impeachment related issues because they were given benefits through the road users tax, appointment of their relatives to juicy government posts or given cash by Malacanang, may be charged for criminal offenses under various anti-graft laws.

The Amended Complaint is not barred both under the Constitution and the Supreme Court ruling in Francisco vs. House of Representatives. Section 3 (1) of Article XI of the Constitution dictates that “The House of Representatives shall have exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment”. The Article of Impeachment which will be filed by the House is ‘one’ case, even if it will contain the Amended Complaint or 10 other complaints. It is only when the Article of Impeachment is endorsed to the Senate that a case is ‘deemed’ initiated. The theory of the Majority that Lozano has already ‘initiated’ the case is violative of the Constitution which clearly grants to Congress, not to Lozano or any one else, the sole power to initiate the same.

However, if one were to abide by the Francisco doctrine, which defined the term ‘initiate’ to mean the filing and ‘referral of an impeachment complaint to the Justice Committee’, the Amended Complaint is still valid—all the complaints were filed with the Committee on Justice simultaneously and therefore none of them were ‘second’ complaints as contemplated by the Francisco ruling. The fact that the referral was done in one motion on the same session day is the operative act, and not the time when these were subsequently received by the Justice Committee. To argue that one complaint is first because it is a ‘few seconds’ ahead of the other is without legal and constitutional basis verging on absurdity.

Furthermore, the term ‘filing’ contemplates the submission of a complaint at the time the House of Representatives is in session. Since the original Lozano and Lopez complaints were filed at the time the House was in recess, they are also deemed to have been filed when Congress started its session on 25 July 2005, the same day that the Amended Complaint was filed.

CODAL believes that the Majority by delaying the proceedings, has done a disservice to the people who have long waited to hear the contents the complaints.

Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares
CODAL Convenor and Spokesperson

On Pugadlawin anniversary: Protesters hit Arroyo on intolerable living conditions

2005-08-23T14:15:00.000+08:00

Thousands of rallyists belonging to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan marched from Sto. Domingo Church towards Manila as they deplored the economic hardships and continuing oil price hikes under the Arroyo government.

The march and rally also marks the anniversary of the Cry of Pugadlawin.

Arroyo has not done anything to control the rapid increase in oil prices even amid mounting calls from the public to check transfer-pricing, overpricing and over-recoveries by the oil cartel.

House votes to consider "prejudicial questions"

2005-08-23T14:10:00.000+08:00

A few minutes ago, the House justice committee adopted on a vote of 54 yes-24 no-3 abstain the motion of Rep. Edcel Lagman to resolve first the so-called prejudicial questions to the impeachment complaints against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Escudero welcomes International People's Tribunal's verdict and evidence on Arroyo's political repression

2005-08-22T16:24:00.001+08:00

Delegates t0 the International Solidarity Mission and the International People's Tribunal that judged Gloria Macapagal Arroyo guilty of human rights violations and crimes against humanity today presented its verdict and evidence to the Impeachment Team at the House of Representatives.

The verdict of the ISM and IPT came after it received over 4,207 human rights violations cases affecting 232,796 individuals from the period 2001 to 2005.

Minority leader Francis Escudero welcomed the ISM-IPT delegation who were accompanied by members of the Independent Bloc of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela.

Escudero assured that the Impeachment Team will consider and use the ISM-IPT submissions in the impeachment process against Arroyo. "This is the first time in history that a sitting president would be held to account for her human rights violations as Chief Executive and military Commander-in-Chief."

The ISM-IPT delegations turned over to Escudero and Custodio voluminous documentary and object evidence that were submitted earlier to the International People's Tribunal.

Int'l People's Tribunal: GMA guilty beyond reasonable doubt of human rights violations, crimes against humanity

2005-08-20T14:40:00.000+08:00

In a stinging rebuke from the community of nations, the International People's Tribunal (IPT) on Friday passed judgment on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, finding her "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" of committing and perpetrating systematic, cruel and widespread violations of human rights tantamount to crimes against humanity.

A total of 4,207 cases of human rights violations committed by the Arroyo administration from January 2001 to June 2005 were presented to the tribunal. The cases affected 232,796 individuals, 24,299 families and 237 communities. At least 400 were victims of summary execution; 110 were victims of forced disappearances. Twenty of those killed were human rights volunteers.

The tribunal ended the International Solidarity Mission (ISM) that probed into incidents of human rights abuses in several regions of the country, particularly in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac, and in Eastern Visayas, where Arroyo promoted and continues to maintain the terrorist reign of mass murderer Gen. Jovito Palparan.

Endorsers of the ISM and the IPT include former US Attorney General Ramsay Clark, US foreign policy critic Prof. Noam Chomsky and former Indian Supreme Court justice Jitendra Sharma.

The evidence presented to the tribunal, the jury's verdict and the tribunal's final judgment would be presented on Monday to members of the House of the Representatives pursuing the impeachment case against Arroyo.

Political repression, or the state's use of force to stifle dissent by civilians and civilian communities under the aegis of the war of terror, is among the high crimes purportedly committed by Arroyo, according to the amended impeachment complaint.

In the 1980s, an international tribunal held in Antwerp, Belgium considered complaints from Filipino organizations against the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Go to Bulatlat for full story and photos.

Doctors, nurses troop to Congress

2005-08-17T14:48:00.000+08:00

Over 150 doctors, nurses and other allied medical professionals staged a motorcade to Batasan Complex today and joined the audience watching the ongoing hearings on the impeachment case against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

They were led by the Health Alliance for Democracy and the White Ribbon Movement-Health Sector.

The health sector are adamantly against Arroyo's continued stay in office, and have actively joined calls for Arroyo's removal.

The asinine Col. Bautista again attempted to disrupt the orderly and peaceful gathering of doctors and nurses when they arrived in Congress. Good thing, the office of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo prepared way ahead and coordinated with House security office to afford the professionals with courtesy and assistance in reaching the session hall.

As expected, pro-Arroyo solons use technicalities to delay hearings

2005-08-17T14:38:00.000+08:00

The pro-Arroyo members of the House justice committee have so far succeeded in delaying the impeachment proceedings by raising so-called "prejudicial questions".

The pro-Arroyo solons have dragged the proceedings by questioning which of the two impeachment complaints should be discussed by the committee.

They also branded the Amended Complaint as another, independent complaint and not a mere amendment to the complaint filed by Oliver Lozano.

Partylist Representatives Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna), Liza Maza (Gabriela) and Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis) said that the people are looking forward to the setting aside of so-called prejudicial questions and instantly considering the sufficiency in form and substance of the pending complaints.

Mariano said that "both Arroyo and the people will welcome the removal of obstacles and setting aside of technicalities which should lead to fair and transparent proceedings."

"Arroyo said she would answer the Gloriagate questions before the proper forum. This is the proper forum. Let's proceed with the impeachment process," said Mariano.

Samar solon to endorse impeachment raps over rights abuses

2005-08-15T12:48:00.000+08:00

A member of Congress today vowed to join the endorsers of the impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if a notorious general is not removed as Samar military commander within the week.

At the same time, a partylist solon said that its about time to hold Arroyo accountable for barbarities committed against civilians and civilian populations as shown by the goings-on in Samar.

"I will sign the endorsement for Pres. Arroyo's impeachment if Brig. Gen. Jovito Palparan is not removed from Samar in one week," declared Samar second district solon Rep. Catalino Figueroa during a dialogue with the Eastern Visayas delegation of the International Solidarity Mission (ISM) 2005.

Figueroa decried the President's seeming tolerance of the atrocities, saying that the "HRVs in Samar is enough basis for GMA's impeachment".

The violent repression of activists, including murders, massacres and promotion of notorious human rights violators, is among the criminal acts pinned on Arroyo in the impeachment complaint.

Figueroa hosted more than 100 foreign and local ISM delegates to dinner last night in his residence in Catbalogan. The delegation, composed of international experts and human rights advocates, chose Samar as one of the ISM key sites because of the alarming degree of human rights violations (HRVs) that occurred when Palparan was deployed in the Eastern Visayas region in February 2005.

Regional human rights organization Katungod-SB documented 22 cases of extra-judicial killings form February 10 to May 12 alone. Other documented cases include 36 victims of strafing, bombing and indiscriminate firing; 13 victims of torture; 16 victims of physical assault and arbitrary arrest; and 17 individuals arbitrarily detained.

Nearly a thousand individuals have been forcibly evacuated in 21 communities in the towns of Calbiga, Tarangan, Motiong, Jiabong, Catbalogan and Paranas.

The ISM is being conducted six months after Palparan announced that he will stop all political rallies in Samar.

Major Gen. Palparan has been consistently associated with the political killings and HRVs against civilians even before he was deployed to Samar. Similar HRVs were documented in the island of Mindoro in the Southern Tagalog region when Palparan was deployed there, prompting human rights activists to dub Palparan as "butcher of Mindoro".

According to Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, who led the ISM delegation to Samar, the degree of international concern was a breakthrough for the human rights movement in the Philippines.

"GMA will be made accountable for the atrocities of the AFP as its Commander-in-Chief," Casiño declared.

"Human rights as an issue of a President's accountability has come of age. This will be made clear by the ISM, which will forward the evidence of massive human rights violations to the impeachment committee in Congress," Casiño said.

Casiño added that the "issue of human rights gives the impeachment complaint a new dimension and a higher level of legitimacy because it is non-partisan and non-political. The ISM also brings international concern to the issue of the President's impeachment based on charges of human rights violations, among other violations."

Int'l mission to probe rights abuses under GMA

2005-08-14T10:00:00.000+08:00

An International Solidarity Mission (ISM) aiming to investigate widespead human rights violations under the Arroyo administration was launched in Quezon City on Saturday.

ISM co-convenor Marie Hilao Enriquez said that the results of the mission would be crucial in prosecuting Arroyo who faces an impeachment complaint that accuses her of culpable violation of the Constitution, including the failure to stop the violations.

An International People's Tribunal set later this week will try Arroyo on the basis of the ISM findings.

Enriquez said that 80 foreign delegates have arrived to join the missions to select places in the country where human rights violations have become frequent.

Among the outstanding human rights abuses under Arroyo are the massacre of striking farmworkers at Hacienda Luisita and the promotion of the notorious Jovito Palparan as military commander in Eastern Samar in spite of having a bloody record in his past post in Mindoro Oriental.

Lawyers slam delay in Impeachment Hearings

2005-08-12T05:02:00.000+08:00

The lawyers’ group Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL), one of the private complainants in the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, faced the media this morning in a press conference at the Treehouse Restaurant in Quezon City.

Following are excerpts of the official statement issued by the four CODAL lawyers headed by Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares who is both CODAL spokesperson and Member of the Impeachment Legal Team:

“CODAL condemns the unilateral decision of the House majority to delay the impeachment hearings and exclude the public and the media from the hearing yesterday.

“Under the House rules, a committee may go into executive session only on the grounds of threats against national security and public interest. The impeachment of Ms. Arroyo cannot be equated to national security or public interest.

“The decision to depart from tradition and prohibit those who are not members of the House committee on justice from participating in the proceedings, again shows the double standards used by the House majority as it treats the Arroyo impeachment differently from previous impeachment proceedings.

“CODAL believes that this attempt only proves the intention of Mrs. Arroyo to hinder the people’s search for truth in the charges filed against her. This belief was affirmed by the Motion to Strike out the Amended Impeachment Complaint filed by Ms. Arroyo yesterday on legally and constitutionally baseless grounds.

“The House should speed up the substance and form hearings considering that the Complaint is sufficient in substance and form.

“The Complaint is sufficient in form as it was properly verified both by the complainants and the endorsers. Although not specifically defined in the current Rules of Impeachment, ‘sufficiency in form’ is generally construed to have been met if the complaint and endorsement are verified as provided in the Rules of Court. The impeachment Complaint’s verification was patterned after the Rules of Court, which makes it impossible for the justice committee to dismiss the same for insufficiency in form.

“The only issue that the justice committee will tackle in the sufficiency of substance is whether the charges in the Complaint, assuming they were true, constitute impeachable offenses. If the President used Philhealth Cards as campaign propaganda or tolerated the killings of activists by members of the AFP, she committed impeachable offenses. In fact, because Mrs. Gloria Arroyo has admitted in her public apology a few weeks ago and through her lawyer yesterday that it was her on the ‘Garci tapes’ talking to Comm. Virgilio Garcillano, the sufficiency in substance of the Complaint, including probable cause, has already been established.

“CODAL will act as private prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Mrs. Arroyo should she remove all obstacles for the Complaint’s endorsement to the Senate. CODAL’s ‘Legal Memorandum on the Gloriagate Scandal’ was used mainly in developing the first two impeachment charges: (1) undermining the independence of the Comelec as proven by the ‘Hello Garci’ tapes; and (2) obstruction of justice as proven by the Ruado tapes.

“CODAL also announces its intention to put up a ‘LAWYERS’ WATCH’, an impeachment watchdog composed of lawyers who will monitor the conduct of every hearing and ensure that members of the House majority will not maliciously delay or dismiss the complaint due to pressure from Malacañang. CODAL will not hesitate filing as many criminal complaints against House members if we find that they accepted bribes in exchange for deciding the Complaint on way or the other.

“Finally, the pool of lawyers coming from various law firms and law schools are also willing to provide free legal services to defend impeachment witnesses from harassment suits by corrupt politicians. CODAL is willing to help provide lawyers to witnesses Sandra Cam, Boy Mayor and Army Capt. Marlon Mendoza in case Malacañang directs the Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to file libel and other criminal charges against them.”

Dispersal mars peaceful Bantay Impeachment action at Batasan gate

2005-08-11T06:19:00.000+08:00

The office of Bayan Muna Rep. Joel G. Virador assailed the violent dispersal of peaceful BANTAY IMPEACHMENT protest actions at the Batasan gate as the justice committee started its hearings.

Leading the dispersal operation was a certain Col. Bautista of the Philippine National Police who witnesses said was drunk at the time.

Col. Bautista even berated Rep. Virador when he interceded on behalf of the rallyists belonging to Bayan, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno and their allied organizations.

A staffer of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo was also hurt when one policeman, on orders of Col. Bautista, pushed her to the ground. She sustained minor injuries and lost her cellphone during the melee.

Cooler heads prevailed as the BANTAY IMPEACHMENT forces resumed their protest action soon enough.

Lawyers' group slams Datumanong rulings, to issue legal opinions tomorrow

2005-08-11T06:05:00.000+08:00

The lawyers' group Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL) today announced the formation of a "Lawyers' Watch" as an independent watchdog that would provide legal opinions on developments in the impeachment proceedings.

In an advisory sent to BANTAY IMPEACHMENT, CODAL said that it will hold a press conference tomorrow, Aug. 11, 10:30 am at Treehouse Restaurant, Matalino St., Diliman, Quezon City (near Sulo Hotel).

The group criticized what it called as "railroading" by the House justice committee especially the prohibition of the participation by complainants and other House members in the deliberations; the unilateral decision of chairman Simeon Datumanong to hold executive sessions and exclude the public from the hearing; and statements equating the impeachment of Mrs. Arroyo to threats against national security.

CODAL spokesperson and Impeachment Prosecution Panel member Neri Colmenares said that the lawyers group will also issue its legal opiniopn on the impeachment complaint's sufficiency in substance and form.

Independent Bloc, people's orgs launch Bantay Impeachment

2005-08-11T05:11:00.000+08:00

The six-member Independent Bloc of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party today served "impeachi-pichi", "impeachapie" and "impeach candies" to the media and people's organizations at the House of Representatives as they launched their "BANTAY IMPEACHMENT" initiative.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, Anakpawis Rep. and Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Liza Maza presided over the hearty snacks at the Batasan Pambansa's South Wing lobby.

The solons served the renamed egg pies, pichi-pichi and candies to members of the media wgo were present and to mass leaders including Carmen "Nanay Mameng" Deunida of Kadamay, Raymond Palatino of Anak ng Bayan, Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela, Cristina Palabay of Gabriela Women's Party, among others.

Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Joel Virador, and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano arrived later.
BANTAY IMPEACHMENT also launched its logo featuring the dog Bantay portrayed as guarding the impeachment drive against Mrs. Arroyo.

The group has set up at http://bantayimpeachment.blogspot.com/ in order to facilitate contact with the media and the public.

According to the solons, BANTAY IMPEACHMENT fuses the strength of the partylist groups and people's organizations that have also signed as co-complainants to impeachment complaint and that are leading the mass protests outside Congress. ###

Welcome!

2005-08-10T15:00:00.000+08:00

As the House committee on justice starts deliberating the impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, we launch today Bantay Impeachment.

This is an initiative of the Independent Bloc of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party partylist representatives.

Our objectives are clear and simple:

1. To champion the clamor of the Filipino people for the impeachment and trial of Arroyo.

2. To expose any and all attempts to foil the impeachment process through pressure, bribery and other perfidies.

3. To provide alternative sources of news and information on the "truth and justice" issues mentioned in the 54-page impeachment complaint.

4. To provide the people's organizations (themselves co-complainants in the impeachment complaint) an opportunity to reach the House media.

In line with these, expect News Bulletins, press releases, fact sheets, photo releases and other press materials from the Bantay Impeachment team starting today.

For starters, please click here to download the full text of the impeachment complaint against Arroyo.