Easier to win lotto than impeach Estrada – Recto

It’s easier to win the lotto jackpot than to impeach President Estrada.

Rep. Ralph Recto (LAMP, Batangas) made this confident declaration yesterday in the wake of suggestions from the opposition that the President could be removed from office through impeachment due to the jueteng scandal.

Recto, who is being rumored to be one of the administration coalition’s senatorial candidates in next year’s elections, said the mathematical probability of winning the lotto is greater than ousting Mr. Estrada.

He shared the view of Assistant Majority Leader Rodolfo Albano II (LAMP, Isabela) that since the ruling coalition dominates both chambers of Congress, impeaching the President "is an impossible dream."

Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas had earlier stated it would be "mathematically and politically impossible" to impeach the President.

Citing House rules on impeachment, Gullas said the initiative could be acted upon after a verified complaint by any member of the House or by a citizen.

In addition, the House must also pass a resolution of endorsement by any member or at least one-third of the House membership.

"While it may appear easy to initiate it, the whole process would be impeded by political partisanship," Gullas pointed out.

However, Recto said the President will survive an impeachment process overwhelmingly, not on his coalition’s numerical superiority, "but on merits."

He added that accusations against his party boss lack credibility.

Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr. and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson have both accused the President of receiving millions of pesos in jueteng money.

Singson, a former close friend of the Chief Executive and member of the so-called "Midnight Cabinet," said he personally delivered some of the money to Malacañang.

He claimed that part of it was for Mr. Estrada’s other families, although he did not say which.

Some senators have challenged Guingona to file an impeachment complaint with the House if he has evidence against the President.