Negros Occ solons: No to impeachment

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Negros Occidental solons, who belonged to the Visayas bloc in the House of Representatives, reiterated their support to President Benigno Aquino III, declaring that they will vote against the impeachment of the country's top chief executive.

Representative Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental) pointed out that majority in the House of Representatives is backing PNoy, saying that there are only 28 congressmen who belong to the minority. "A total of 97 votes are needed to impeach the president," he added.

Benitez remained positive that PNoy will be able to survive the controversy involving the disbursement acceleration program, or the DAP, and that the president can finish his term in 2016.

"Impeachment is nothing.  It's not the right time and there is no more time as only two years is left for this administration. PNoy still enjoys the support of the majority," Benitez said.

"As far as the executive branch is concerned, they have done it legally based on existing laws. If they continue to disburse the fund from DAP that would already be a violation," said the congressman, adding that the lawmakers only got funds and projects from the Speaker, although they could not identify the sources of those funds.

Benitez, along with the other 33 members of the Visayan bloc, wore yellow ribbon as a sign of support to the president, during Monday's State of the Nation Address at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Representative Mercedes Alvarez (6th district, Negros Occidental), for her part, said, "we should wait first for the decision of the Supreme Court on the motion for reconsideration filed by Malacañang."

When asked if she received DAP-funded projects, she said she could not determine yet, but she added that, as one of the members of the House committee on justice, "we will have to review the impeachment complaints filed against the president to determine if it has substance."

Representative Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district, Negros Occidental) contended that the SC's ruling of DAP as unconstitutional was "not enough basis to impeach the president."

Ferrer noted that many people have benefited from DAP-funded projects, though, he admitted that it's difficult to determine whether or not the projects were funded through DAP.

Representative Alejandro Mirasol (5th district, Negros Occidental) said the impeachment case lodged against Aquino will depend on the substance of the complaints.

The president is now facing three impeachment complaints on the issue of DAP and on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA.