Defensor willing to face GMA accusers in ‘people’s court’

Even as he branded the anti-Arroyo group Citizens’ Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA) as a "kangaroo court," Environment Secretary Michael Defensor said he is willing to attend its "trial" of President Arroyo on charges of electoral fraud.

Defensor’s statement followed the declaration of CCTA’s team of lawyer-presenters that officials from Mrs. Arroyo’s Cabinet are welcome to appear during the proceedings this month.

Lawyer Romeo Capulong said the CCTA is most likely to invite Defensor "because of his confidence and willingness to prove before the Citizens’ Congress that Mrs. Arroyo won in the 2004 elections."

He said others who are willing to come to the "people’s court" as an official representative, witness, or lawyer of Mrs. Arroyo are likewise also welcome.

"Since this kangaroo court is being done for propaganda, it would be best if somebody from the administration would be there to somehow balance the accusations," Defensor said.

However, Defensor gave a condition for his attendance in the "trial."

"I’m willing to attend... so long as I’d be face-to-face (with) the President’s accusers, some of whom were even with her during the 2004 campaign. I hope they’d be there," he said.

Aside from Defensor, the CCTA is also likely to invite lawyer Pedro Ferrer, who served as Mrs. Arroyo’s lawyer and who sought to quash the impeachment complaint that was filed and eventually dismissed at the House of Representatives.

Capulong asserted that the Citizens’ Congress is a "serious project undertaken within the framework of the Constitution," denying claims of pro-administration officials who have labeled the upcoming proceedings as "a mere media gimmick, a seditious, illegal and unconstitutional undertaking that shall undermine the government."