There’s enough evidence to impeach Abalos, solons say Norman Bordadora Christian V. Esguerra Inquirer
September 26, 2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Both administration and opposition lawmakers said on Wednesday there was sufficient basis to file an impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos, Sr.
Deputy Majority Leader Crispin Remulla said former economic planning secretary Romulo Neri's testimony at the Senate about Abalos allegedly offering him what he understood to be a P200-million bribe would provide a basis for an impeachment.
“There will be a basis. The problem is the timeline. (The impeachment process) might not get finished,” the Cavite lawmaker told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
Abalos is due to retire from the Comelec in February. Congress is going on a break from October 13 to November 4 and again from December 22 to January 20, and will thus have barely two weeks of sessions before Abalos’ retirement month.
“When that happens, he may just have to face anti-graft charges before the Ombudsman,” Remulla said.
He pointed out that an impeachment complaint would have to be heard in the House committee on justice before being tackled in the plenary.
“Then you'd still have to organize the prosecutorial team. There is a time factor,” said Remulla.
Isabela Representative Georgidi Aggabao, another administration solon, said there was "more than enough" evidence against Abalos, pointing out that Neri’s and businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III’s testimony corroborated each other.
“That is unimpeachable...evidence buttressing what Joey has posited from the very beginning, that Abalos (offered) bribes,” Aggabao said.
Palawan Representative Abraham Mitra, a member of the administration coalition, said it would not require too many votes to pursue an impeachment complaint.
"One verified complaint and two House endorsers and the ball is rolling. Whether this would snowball and cross the threshold that would merit a Senate trial is the challenge before the opposition,” Mitra said.
“His impeachment is imminent,” said Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.
Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño said his party-list would ask the House minority to prepare an impeachment complaint against Abalos.
“Congress now has enough basis to impeach Abalos. It's the political will to do it that is now needed,” Casino said in a text message.
“The grounds for Abalos' impeachment will include bribery, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust. We will also propose the inclusion of electoral fraud in 2004 and in 2007,” he added.
“I think the minority has enough materials to impeach Chairman Abalos," opposition congressman Rufus Rodriguez said.
Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, an opposition lawmaker in the 13th Congress, said he would file the impeachment case against Abalos after including Neri’s testimony in his complaint.
The minority was set to meet Wednesday afternoon to tackle details on the impeachment of the Comelec chair.
Hontiveros said Abalos should not wait for an impeachment.
“He might as well resign now and we really hope that he already prepared his resignation letter,” she said. “He doesn’t deserve to stay in public office, not even a minute longer.”
Cibac Representative Joel Villanueva said the minority was hoping “to finally get him out of the Comelec and get the chance to overhaul the electoral body.”
Lawyer Oliver Lozano has already been filed an impeachment complaint against Abalos.
