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Impeachment in the House and Kalinga Rep. Wacnang

I religiously monitored the impeachment proceedings at the lower house through different media outlets. I got interested in monitoring to be updated with the impeachment processes. Also to know the Cordillera congressmen’s position on the impeachment issue.

On Wednesday, August 31, opposition congressmen walked out from the Justice Committee hearing as Congressman Datumanong, from the administration party and committee chair, failed to recognize a pro-impeachment congressman who wanted to air his side on why the amended complaints should be adopted. Instead, Datumanong submitted for votation what impeachment complaints should be adopted without hearing the opposition side. The latter saw the move as railroading the adoption of the Oliver Lozano complaint, considered by them as nothing but a weak petition that was easily dismissed.

All the remaining administration congressmen in the said Committee voted, of course, for the Lozano complaint with the exception of at least four congressmen who voted for the amended complaint.

Among the four congressmen was Rep. Lawrence Wacnang of the lone district of Kalinga province. Despite his being a member of the administration, I admire Rep. Wacnang in voting for a consolidation of the three impeachment complaints. He disregarded the technicality that only one complaint should be adopted and that the first one filed should stand. The interests of the people on the issues should prevail over mere technicalities. He may have realized that as a lawyer, never should technicality serve as barrier in attaining the truth. In fact disregarding technicalities should always be preferred to achieve substantial discussion and decision on the issue.

Rep. Wacnang may not be among the pro-impeachment congressmen. But his position in voting for the adoption of a consolidated impeachment complaint is the most advance position among the Cordillera congressmen whom I know, unless proven otherwise by them. We have three other lawyer congressmen from the region but they are sticking to their position against the impeachment of GMA. They can still change their position as their constituents want to know the truth. In fact, impeachment is the constitutional process where their boss GMA can prove that she is innocent of the accusations against her. But with the latest developments, GMA and her loyalists are doing all means to kill the impeachment in the house.

To Rep. Wacnang, you already have taken an advance position. Please sign for the impeachment. Matago-tago ka!

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The House Justice Committee tried to kill the impeachment right then and there on Wednesday, August 31. After the opposition and pro-impeachment congressmen had walked out, they, as homogeneous pro-admin and anti-impeachment, railroaded and killed the impeachment process based on the filed complaints, even if the Lozano complaint is considered as a ploy. The first thing they did was to vote for the weak Oliver Lozano complaint, which thrashed the subsequent complaints filed by Jose Lopez and the opposition. Then they voted that the Lozano complaint was sufficient in form. Everybody thinks they will uphold the Lozano complaint, albeit very weak. Alas, they voted that the Lozano complaint was insufficient in substance. Ergo no impeachment complaint to speak about against GMA. ‘Galing nitong mga pro-admin congressmen na sinusuwelduhan ng pera ng sambayanan.

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But is that the end of the impeachment? Fr. Joaquin Bernas, in his article printed at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, claims it is not. The Committee will submit its report with resolution to the house plenary. One-third vote of all members of the house can actually reject the Committee reports and resolutions, he adds. If that happens, congress will decide whether the amended complaint is sufficient in form and substance. If congress will uphold the committee decision, Bernas claimed that it could be questioned to the Supreme Court.
Bernas also claimed that one-third of all the house members can recommend the trial to proceed. In this case, the Committee will prepare the articles of impeachment and appoint members of the house prosecution team. This is the reason why the pro-impeachment congressmen are trying their best to reach 79 signatories for the impeachment.

Given however the pro-GMA domination of the house membership, they can kill that impeachment move. However, who knows, with public pressure these congressional representatives will come to their senses and realize that they are obliged to serve the public - and sign for the impeachment of GMA for her to clear herself. Else, the other constitutional means of removing an unfit leader will happen – another people power. #

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