Asian Political News: 2ND LD: Opposition files impeachment complaint against Arroyo

MANILA, July 25 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH ARROYO QUOTES, ADDING DETAIL)

Opposition lawmakers filed an impeachment complaint Monday against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for allegedly cheating her way to victory in last year's presidential election.

The complaint was filed with the House of Representatives.

But it remains to be seen if the complaint will find traction in the legislature where the ruling party commands a majority.

Some analysts say Arroyo's control of both houses of Congress make impeachment unlikely.

Others, however, say majority control in the legislature is no guarantee she will not be removed from office, citing rampant ''turncoat-ism'' and the possibility of a people power-style military-backed uprising.

One-third of the 236 members of the lower house must endorse an impeachment resolution to pave way for a trial in the Senate, which would act as an impeachment court. Only 42 House members have so far supported the amended impeachment complaint.

The 54-page complaint cites three grounds of impeachment -- culpable violation of the Constitution; betraying public trust; and bribery, graft and corruption. The complaint charges Arroyo has committed at least 10 major crimes, including election fraud, corruption and obstruction of justice.

''By her conduct, Arroyo has undermined the integrity of her office, has brought disrepute on the presidency, has committed culpable violations of the Constitution, bribery and graft and corruption, and betrayed public trust,'' the complaint says.

''By so flouting justice and the rule of law, she has committed an unforgivable outrage against the Filipino people,'' it says. ''Indeed, by such conduct, Arroyo warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the Republic of the Philippines.''

The charges stem from allegations Arroyo rigged last year's presidential election and that her family received illegal gambling payoffs. Arroyo is also accused of hiding ownership of various properties and business interests both at home and abroad.

The complaint said Arroyo bribed election officials ''to rig the results of the May 2004 presidential elections in her favor'' and used public funds ''before and during the election period to buy votes and unlawfully promote her candidacy.''

It also accused Arroyo of approving contracts that were ''grossly disadvantageous'' to the government, such as China-funded rail and airport terminal projects.

In her state-of-the-nation address at the joint session of Congress on Monday, Arroyo avoided the topic of impeachment and calls for her to step down.

Instead, she called for unity and stressed the need to heal a divided country.

''Now is not the time for divisiveness, and while there's no avoiding partisan politics, there can be a determined effort by all sides to limit the collateral damage on a country poised for takeoff,'' Arroyo said. ''Please help me for the sake of our country.''

Fresh calls for Arroyo to step down mounted when audio recordings surfaced last month of Arroyo speaking to an election official while votes were being counted.

Arroyo has admitted calling the official, which she called a ''lapse of judgment,'' but insisted she did not influence the results. The complaint, however, stresses that Arroyo ''undermined the independence'' of the poll body by making the call.

The complaint amends an original complaint filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano on June 27. Lozano's complaint was based mainly on the conversation between Arroyo and the election official, who has gone in hiding since the controversy emerged early last month.

If the complaint succeeds, Arroyo would become the second Philippine president to face impeachment in the House of Representatives.

Her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, also faced impeachment charges in 2000, but he was not convicted because he was ousted in 2001 by a military-backed popular revolt that brought Arroyo to the presidency.

Anti-riot policemen blocked some 35,000 protesters who poured into the main avenue leading to the House compound where Arroyo delivered her annual speech before Congress.

Carrying placards, banners and giant effigies, the protesters reiterated calls for Arroyo to resign.

Organizers -- mostly from left-wing groups and supporters of Estrada -- failed to muster their target crowd of 80,000 to 100,000 people.

At least 6,000 anti-riot police were deployed to secure the complex, augmented by 1,000 military troops composed of 700 civil disturbance management personnel and 300 personnel from area security and air operations. Security forces were also put on alert across the country.