House minority attempts to delay Merci impeach vote

MANILA, Philippines - House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman raised the "no impeachment, no pork" text message received by congressmen over the weekend in an attempt to delay the lower chamber's voting on the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

"The forewarning insults the integrity of the members of this august chamber... This is a crime. I am certain we are not taking lying down this subversion of our independence and integrity. Let us rise to denounce this transgression...," Lagman said.

The minority congressman, who is a close ally of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, proposed to suspend the presentation of the House Committee on Justice's report on the impeachment complaint against Gutierrez as well as the scheduled debate on the articles of impeachment.

He cited the gravity of the effect of the text message to the House's integrity, while citing that the committee of the whole must be convened to look into the message and pending the results "the consideration of the report of the justice committee must be suspended."

Lagman said according to House rules, it can tackle the justice committee's impeachment report within 60 days from day it was submitted.

As of this posting, the House leadership led by House deputy speakers Arnulfo Fuentebella and Neptali Gonzales II were blocking the motion.

Gonzales said based on House rules, only the majority leader can propose to convene the committee of the whole. He agreed to Lagman's proposal to conduct a congressional inquiry into the "no impeachment, no pork" text message, but said he is referring it to other committees.

The text message read: "Frm Cong. Abaya-Favor kindly disseminate to all reps-LP (Liberal Party) and non-LPs. This shud b made clear to all. Those who will vote no or absent/abstain on impeachment will get 0 as in zero. At least walang sisihan (so that there would be no regrets) that there was no forewarning. Thank you."

Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, who was being referred to in the text message, has denied that it came from him.

Several congressmen, particularly members of the minority, claimed receiving the text message over the weekend.

In another attempt to delay the voting, Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino claimed that he and other members of the House failed to receive copies of the impeachment report and the articles of impeachment from the House Justice Committee.

Antonino said that congressmen should have been given ample time to read contents of the committee report and the articles of impeachment.

"Should it be disseminated to the members of the House so we can have an intelligent debate and make intelligent votes," Antonino said.

Lagman also claimed that he was informed by other members of the minority that the House leadership has a list of congressmen who should receive copies of the impeachment report and the articles of impeachment.

He said the list apparently did not include members of the House minority.