Edmund Reyes makes an impassioned speech on behalf of the opposition. He tells the committee that the opposition has 73 commitments to sign. "For
the truth to come out, the Filipino people need six more members of
this House to endorse the complaint. Just six more," he said.
"Is there anyone else? Is there no one else? Is there any one else who will sign for the truth?" Reyes asked.
He appeals to fellow congressmen to sign the blank endorsements which he proceeds to leave behind amidst cheers and applause. (Good call to field this guy Reyes. He is a fresh voice. Unlike his young colleagues who smack of old politics and sound like broken records the way they repeat themselves.)
A scuffle breaks out as protesters are escorted out. As drama unfolds outside and ANC is forced into a splitscreen and a difficult decision as to which camera's audio feed to carry, Jauralla responds to Reyes's speech, decrying the opposition's failure to file an impeachment case when they had a chance.
Jauralla: "They should not blame us for their miserable failure to secure the 79 signatures... Even if this is a political process, we must respect the procedure provided for by law, if we want the truth."
Luis Villafuerte: "Ang pikon talo!...We may not agree with them but we will defend to the death the right to be wrong!!! (huh?)
Butz: "22 Years ago, my brother in law was murdered.. witnesses disappeared... Today the government is concealing the truth! They are using technicalities to thwart the truth! They are raiding homes without search warrants. Again there is a coverup of this wrong doing. What can we do? Are we going to bury the truth today?"
Mandalulong Rep: "That's a very unfair remark to say we did not vote according to our conscience. Pinagaralan ko ang complaint, binasa ko..." The opposition voted to choose the rules they are criticizing now...
Live shots of protesters outside the Batasan Complex as speeches go on inside. Miron tosses to inq7:
VOTING 48-4 with one abstention, a committee at the House of Representatives recognized the original complaint filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano, effectively dismissing the amended version filed by the opposition and one filed by lawyer Jose Rizalino Lopez against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ricky Carandang: The opposition now has two options. One is to gather the 79 signatures. The other is to question the decision of the Justice Committee before the Supreme Court.
Meantime, this very interesting survey by Pulse Asia:
ABOUT 67 percent of Filipinos believe life has become worse over the past 12 months amid a political crisis and rising oil prices, a survey released Wednesday said.
Only 12 percent said their quality of life had improved over the past 12 months, while 19 percent said they expected things to get better next year, the survey revealed.
It also found that 80 percent of respondents believed the country's conditions had worsened over the past 12 months, with 65 percent saying they expected it to get worse.
The survey found that 11 percent agreed with the statement "this country is hopeless."
However only five percent said the poor should join anti-government groups seeking the ouster of Arroyo. (my bold)
Listen Peaches or get Creamed. We need to get those signatures. Ayaw ng publiko ng gulo.
Drive along Mandaluyong City and you could witness first hand the problem of our country. Giant banners and posters are posted everywhere with our mayor who looks like Max Alvarado mix with Weng Weng on it. Yes, it's a very very scary sight! I get sick everytime I see the dude on the posters. I get sick not because on his looks but what this thing symbolizes. These posters caused thousands of pesos from the city treasury. These are the funds that would be best used for fixing our roads. FYI, Mandaluyong has the worst roads known to man. Shaw Blvd. and Boni Ave. have pot holes that could make Max Alvarado's face look like silk. Government officials have the nerve to say that they lack funds to complete the rehabilitation of roads but they could afford putting up posters gloriying a TRAPO. Fuck "mayor" Boyet Gonzalez!
Now look at the Congress happenings regarding the Impeachement proceedings. It is basically the same freaking thing. Congressmen are just grandstanding left and right. Walking tall and feeling smart without thinking the welfare of the people they represent. Come to think about it, they are doing this, especially I dare say the majority block, so that they could get special gifts from Santa Claus. In turn, they would have funds to put their faces on billboards and posters but not to basic projects like better public roads. Fuck "congressman" Benhur Abalos!
You all let me down you suckers!
Posted by: Chuck Gutierrez | August 31, 2005 at 11:25 PM