Cayetano wants expulsion hearings extended

Taguig Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the House ethics committee to extend the hearings on the misconduct complaint filed against him by the Arroyo family.

Cayetano expressed willingness to extend the hearings to prove his allegations that First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo maintains a "multimillion-dollar" account in a German bank to hide his ill-gotten wealth.

The opposition lawmaker made the call as committee chairman Bohol Rep. Roberto Cajes decided Thursday to terminate the cross-examination of Arroyo by Cayetano. Members of the committee called for the speedy resolution of the case after noticing the hearing was going nowhere.

Contrary to his earlier charges that administration congressmen were "railroading" the hearings, Cayetano now wants the proceedings extended.

"It’s unfair na ipatigil ito (to stop the hearings). We can continue the hearing for another hour, another day, at a time convenient to the committee. I don’t mind wherever, even in Malacañang," Cayetano told the ethics panel.

The opposition lawmaker had engaged in a verbal tussle with Arroyo in the last two hearings, which was aired live by ANC and radio stations across the country.

Some members of the panel, though, noted that Cayetano is using the opportunity to expose himself before the media to increase his chances in the May 14 elections.

Cayetano is among the senatorial candidates of the United Opposition.

Committee member Northern Samar Rep. Harlin Abayon said Cayetano is using the forum for grandstanding.

"We will not allow ourselves to be manipulated. This is designed not to seek the truth but to delay."

Abayon noted the hearings had dragged on unnecessarily for six months without Cayetano showing any concrete proof to back up his claims against Arroyo.

The First Gentleman, along with his son Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo and brother Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo filed the complaint against Cayetano. They were later joined by presidential son Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo.

The Arroyos accused Cayetano, who is on his third and last term as congressman, of "fabricating evidence, making false testimonies and for malicious and defamatory accusations against our family."

The Arroyos said Cayetano had been "arrogant" for refusing to admit his accusations the First Family had a multimillion-dollar account in a German bank were just a bum steer.

Cayetano refused suggestions to make a public apology and even challenged the Arroyos to sign a waiver, a claim the family dubbed as preposterous and a "fishing expedition."