House declares De Venecia impeach complaint ‘sufficient in form’
By CARMELA FONBUENA, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 11/18/2008 11:52 AM
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The House Committee on Justice on Tuesday unanimously declared the impeachment complaint filed by national broadband deal controversy star witness Jose “Joey” De Venecia III and opposition lawyer Harry Roque “sufficient in form.”
Without any objections from the committee members when the motion was called, committee chairman Mat Defensor declared, “the motion is carried.”
The motion to determine the complaint’s sufficiency in form was made by Baguio City Rep. Maurico Domogan.
The committee will now move on to the more challenging part—determination of the complaint’s “sufficiency in substance”—whether or not the allegations against President Arroyo are substantial.
The “De Venecia” complaint cited the alleged involvement of President Arroyo in the anomalous US$329-million national broadband deal with Chinese company ZTE Corp., the P728-million fertilizer fund mess that was purportedly used to finance her 2004 presidential bid, the alleged bribery of House member, and the human rights violations under her administration.
The complaint has so far been endorsed by six members of the House -- Casiño, fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Gabriela’s Liza Maza, Anakpawis’ Rafael Mariano, Bukidnon’s Teofisto Guingona III and former speaker and administration ally Jose de Venecia Jr.
Inhibition of many solons sought
The committee officially started its hearing on the impeachment complaints at 10:30 a.m. today. Casiño and Maza called for the inhibition of congressmen involved in two allegations against the President—alleged bribery of congressmen and governors, and the fertilizer fund mess.
“We don’t want the proceedings to be tainted,” said Casiño, one of the six endorsers of the first impeachment complaint filed by the younger de Venecia and Roque.
Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa of Kampi admitted to her involvement with the alleged bribery allegations. But Villarosa clarified that she only admitted to giving money to two congressmen—Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante and La Union Rep. Thomas Dumpit. (Kampi is a political party founded by the President)
”I’m not involved with the rest. There will be a point when it is needed. It will voluntarily from me. I prefer to stay now and see how the proceedings go,” Villarosa told the committee.
But Maza said, “I think the proper time is now.”
About 190 congressmen in the 13th Congress were allegedly involved in the fertilizer fund mess, too. A number of them were reelected to the 14th Congress.
The committee has no power to force the committee members to inhibit, however.
How about other complaints?
Aside from the "De Venecia" complaint, three other complaints were filed in the House of Representatives. The congressmen have not decided whether or not to consolidate them.
One of them was filed by political analyst Manolo Quezon. He filed a complaint-in-intervention to the ‘De Venecia’ complaint to include the alleged constitutional violation committed by President Arroyo by allowing the government peace negotiators to enter into a Moro homeland accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Lawyer Oliver Lozano, who was behind previously filed impeachment complaints that were dismissed—also filed a complaint-of-intervention for the same purpose.
Another impeachment complaint was filed by a certain Guilllermo Sotto.
