Monday, August 22, 2005

NR0822:On killing impeachment; Cha cha EO

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 22, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news


Oplan Kill Impeachment not escaping public notice; Solons killing the complaint will not escape villification

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that even as Malacanang and its allies in Congress launch “Oplan Kill Impeachment” in preparation for tomorrow’s Justice Committee hearings on whether or not to recognize the complaint, as amended and filed by opposition lawmakers, the mass protests to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were also elevating to the next level.

There have been reports that Malacanang is pushing the limits short of outright bribing lawmakers with government funds and projects to secure their loyalty and word that that they would not sign the amended impeachment complaint. Among these funds is solons’ share in the controversial Road Users’ Tax.

“If and when the impeachment complaint is thrown out by the Committee, the solons that have been vocal in their opposition and active in their efforts to undermine and disqualify the complaint will be severely vilified by the public for shutting out the truth,” he said. “The fact that Malacanang is resorting to measures a hairbreadth away from being outright bribery to kill the complaint proves that the complaint is strong and credible enough to have Macapagal-Arroyo removed from office.”

”Pres. Arroyo will not recover from this crisis much less survive it. If she isn’t guilty of any of the impeachable charges being leveled against her as stated in the complaint, then she will not hesitate to meet them head on in the proper, formal and legal venue which is the impeachment court.

If she isn’t guilty, she has nothing to fear from the complaint or from being impeached. An executive who cannot defend herself satisfactorily and with the strength of will and character demanded of a nation’s leader has no right to lead.”

Executive Order on Cha cha redundant; waste of time and taxpayers’ money

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned activist lawmaker said that Malacanang’s release of an executive order legalizing the creation of a Consultative Commission that will supposedly hold consultations and studies in the proposed amendments to the Constitution was yet another abuse of power of the president. He said that by issuing the EO 453, Pres. Arroyo was creating yet another office and releasing funds that could run up to millions just to pursue the demented dream of Charter Change.

“Congress already has the task to hold these consultations and solicit studies on Cha cha, and the people have already turned in their negative verdict on the matter. There is no public clamor for Charter change, and the reforms the administration and its allies in the House want are of the sort that will further undermine the economic welfare of the Filipino poor and weaken further the country’s sovereignty and patrimony laws,” he said.

“This Cha Cha Executive Order constitutes a grave abuse of authority on the part of Macapagal-Arroyo. She is using Cha cha to deflect the public’s attention from the calls for her impeachment, resignation and ouster.’

“Even as we recognize the need to amend the Constitution, the objective should not be to perpetuate the already corrupt and exploitative set of leaders the country has, or to open the country even wider to the plunder of foreign-owned transnational corporations. Cha cha as idealized by Malacanang and its allies in the House pushing for Cha cha will only worsen the already terrible state of the nation, and cement the exploitative political order in place,” he said.

Beltran expressed doubt that the Consultative Assembly Malacanang is putting together will include recommendations from groups and sectors that denounce globalization and liberalization policies in the economy and advocate economic independence via exit from the trade blocs such as the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).#

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