Opponents of Philippine leader turn to impeachment after
protests fail
MANILA : Opponents of President Gloria Arroyo have admitted that
street protests are unlikely to topple the Philippine leader but
said they believe they can win enough support to impeach her in
Congress over a political scandal.
Some 30,000-35,000 people packed the Makati financial district on
Wednesday to demand the president quit over claims she stole the
2004 election, but the turnout was lower than organisers had hoped
for.
"I don't think you are going to get her out with all of these
rallies that we are holding," said senior opposition Congressman
Ronaldo Zamora on Thursday.
But Zamora said they might have enough numbers to vote for
impeachment because some of Arroyo's allies in Congress had changed
sides.
"Basically, for the first time, the numbers are moving towards our
direction. We will be starting the impeachment process with a
really substantial number," he said.
Arroyo ally Congressman Joey Salceda, quoted in the Philippine
Daily Inquirer, said the opposition was already assured of 73 of
the required 79 votes to hear the impeachment complaint.
Her spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said street protests will not solve
the country's myriad problems.
"We respect every one's right to freedom of speech and assembly,
but we still maintain that the problems besetting the country will
not be solved by loud noises in the street," Bunye said.
Share prices closed 1.37 percent higher on Thursday after political
uncertainty subsided.
"It looks like yesterday's rally, though exceptionally well
produced, did not get the numbers. It has somehow eased the
uncertainty that Mrs Arroyo would just walk away because of a mass
uprising," said Nestor Aguilao of DA Market Securities.
Arroyo vowed that street protests will not drive her from
office.
"If they want unrest in the street, I will enforce the law. I will
stop any violence. If they want to subvert the constitution, I will
fight them every step of the way," she said in a speech aired over
government radio.
"This is not a popularity contest, this is a contest for improving
the life of our population. My (opinion) surveys may be down but my
resolve has never been higher."
The military and police announced that they had lowered the red
alert ordered in the capital for the rally, which passed off
peacefully.
However, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the government was
anticipating an even larger protest rally on July 25 when the
president makes her annual address to Congress.
Zamora said the opposition was strengthening an impeachment
complaint previously filed by an activist lawyer and would present
it to the House of Representatives by July 22.
At least one-third of members of the House must vote in favour of
impeachment before the case goes to the Senate for trial.
The opposition charges that an audiotape of a wiretapped
conversation shows Arroyo cheated to win the elections. In it a
woman sounding like Arroyo holds a conversation with an election
commissioner, who appears to offer to fix her vote.
Arroyo has denied any wrongdoing and refused to resign even after
key cabinet members and political allies turned against her. She
has welcomed any effort to impeach her, saying this will give her a
chance to clear herself.
The opposition was initially wary of impeachment for fear that
Arroyo's allies, who control Congress, might quash the
complaint.
"Essentially, the president made up the minds of both the majority
and the minority. She has made it very clear that she is not
resigning," Zamora said.
Opposition Congressman Peter Cayetano said the impeachment
complaint was not for specific crimes but rather for "obstruction
of justice and for perjury".
The impeachment procedure in the House would take at least six
months, assuming no further legal issues are raised, Cayetano
added.
House Majority floor leader Prospero Nograles said talk about how
congressmen would vote was "speculative".
"I think this is going to be a matter of conscience: the entire
Filipino people will be watching you (legislators)," he said.
"I don't think (the congressmen) will fool around with this. They
will look at the evidence, look at the political situation, consult
with their constituents." - AFP/de
