SC impeach complaint sent to House panel

The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives against Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and seven other Supreme Court justices moved another step forward yesterday after Speaker Jose de Venecia formally referred the matter to the committee on rules for its inclusion in the chamber’s agenda.

In his memorandum dated Aug. 1 to Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales, who is also chairman of the committee, De Venecia directed him to include in the "Order of Business" the verified complaint against Davide and the justices.

Under the Rules of the House, De Venecia as Speaker has 10 session days within which to refer to the proper committee the verified complaint for impeachment.

De Venecia’s directive came on the seventh session day as Congress went on a sine die adjournment on June 5 and opened its third regular session last July 28.

Once it is included in the order of business, the majority leader has three session days to refer the matter to the committee on justice for deliberation.

The complaint was filed by former President Joseph Estrada, who was ousted after a popular uprising in January 2001 as he faced trial at the Senate after being impeached at the House.

The opposition at the House, led by Reps. Rolex Suplico, Ronaldo Zamora and Didagen Dilangalen, endorsed the complaint.

Estrada accused the justices of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and violating the judicial code of conduct.

The contingent of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) at the House is expected to back the complaint following cracks in its alliance with the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

The NPC has 64 out of the 220 total House members. The chairman of the committee on justice is Eastern Samar Rep. Marcelino Libanan of NPC.

"The best way to deal with the complaint is to study it because of the serious allegations," NPC Rep. Gilberto Teodoro of Tarlac said. "I’m sure the justices would want a hearing to clarify the matter."

Also named as respondents in the complaint are Associate Justices Artemio Panganiban, Josue Bellosillo, Reynato Puno, Jose Vitug, Leonardo Quisumbing, Antonio Carpio and Renato Corona.