BALER, Aurora, December 14, 2011-The move to impeach Chief Justice Renato Puno by congressmen-allies of President Aquino is not a political move as perceived by the opposition, a close ally of the Chief Executive said here.
San Fernando City (Pampanga) Mayor Oscar Rodriguez told newsmen at the sidelines of the Regional Development Council meeting here Tuesday afternoon that the impeachment complaint which accused Corona of alleged betrayal of public trust, violation of the Constitution and graft and corruption cannot possibly be a political move, particularly by the Liberal Party which is the party of the President because the LP is not the overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives.
He said congressmen crossed party lines to support the impeachment move.
Rodriguez was reacting to the filing of the impeachment complaint against Corona where 188 lawmakers signed it, led by LP members. The number is almost twice the minimum 95 signatures needed for transmittal.
Malacanang denied it had a hand in the impeachment of Corona.
Rodriguez said the number of those who wanted Corona impeached is unprecedented in the history of the impeachment process in the country and said this will be for the good of the Philippines, contrary to fears it would throw the country into chaos.
“Any perceived abuse now will be put under scrutiny and they can’t have unbridled power,” he said.
“Hindi na nila ngayon puwedeng gawin ang gusto nilang gawin (They can no longer do what they want),” he said, referring to the Supreme Court, citing the case of 16 municipalities which were later converted into cities.
The SC flip-flopped on the issue but later ruled against the conversion of the 16 “unqualified” towns.
Back in April when the SC ruled for the conversion, Rodriguez who is president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, threatened to seek the impeachment of SC justices who voted to uphold the conversion into cities of the 16 towns despite their failure to meet the requirements under the Local Government Code. (Manny Galvez)
