Lawmakers slam Namfrel ‘lobby’ vs Tancangco

Members of the House of Representatives condemned yesterday the paid advertisement by the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) aimed at pressuring to vote against Comelec Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco in today’s plenary session.

In a statement, the lawmakers stressed that the House committee on justice had effectively performed its mandate and deplored Namfrel’s efforts to pressure those who are opposing Tancangco’s impeachment.

Thirty-six members of the committee found the complaint insufficient in substance as opposed to 16 who voted to continue the impeachment process.

Congressmen who condemned the Namfrel paid ad include Harlin Abayon (NPC, Northern Samar), Benasing Macarambon (NPC-OMPIA, Lanao del Sur), Jacinto Paras (Lakas, Negros Oriental), Carlos Padilla (LDP, Nueva Vizcaya), Ronaldo Zamora (NPC, San Juan), Prospero Pichay (Lakas, Surigao del Sur), Ted Failon (Independent, Leyte) Prospero Nograles (Lakas, Davao City), Eduardo Veloso (NPC, Leyte) and Willie Villarama (Aksyon Demokratiko, Bulacan).

They branded as "unfair and misleading" the contention made by Tancangco’s detractors that the justice committee, by voting against her impeachment, had failed to perform its duty to the people.

Tancangco, meanwhile, that the print advertisement (not in The STAR) made by the People vs. Tancangco Movement is just a "political ad."

The ad calls on members of the House "not to ignore acts of gross inexcusable negligence, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and violation of the Constitution, reportedly documented by the Commission on Audit and supported by a Supreme Court decision and enumerated in the 280-page complaint" against Tancangco.

"These illegal acts were committed against the Filipino people. These acts must be investigated," the movement said in their print ad, which came out yesterday.

The House plenary session is scheduled at 4 p.m. today. Despite looking forward to the dismissal of the charges against her, Tancangco said she will not attend the meeting, since she was not invited.

She is, however, confident the charges against her will be dismissed. "A lot of these people (congressmen) have backed out. I know some people who have backed out. I expect them to come out during the plenary session." – Sandy Araneta