PRESS RELEASE l January 14, 2012
This is the statement of urban poor group Kadamay on the upcoming impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Philippine Senate to start on January 16.
"It is more than just the checks-and-balaces procedure of the Philippine democracy, as [Malacanang spokersperson Abigail] Valte claims it to be. It is more of a political gesture, than a legal practice," said Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general said.
Valte noted in a radio interview that as mandated in the Philippine Constitution, any politician is bound for a checks-and-balances scrutiny with the legislative having the right to spearhead such action, being the representative of the people.
Valte added that the impeachment case agaist Corona is a manifestation of a 'very rigorous democracy.'
Highly partisan legislative
"But the Filipino people cannot accept the same swift move made by the Congress to impeach any other politician, especially those that are staunch allies of the ruling political party," Arellano said.
"Any impeachment case, no matter how solid its grounds are, is only bound to fail without the nod of the highly partisan majority in the House of Representatives, as in the case of the impeachment proceeding against then President Arroyo," she stressed. "The Aquino administration, in fact used the pork barrel fund to mobilize even those within the Liberal Party in favor of the impeachment complaint."
"Our history has proven that the legislative has served only the interest of the ruling party more than the interest of its people. It's not really a democratic society that we have," Arellano claimed.
A showcase
Kadamay also said that "Corona's impeachment is just a showcase of the Aquino administrations' campaign against graft and corruption, and bringing Mrs. Arroyo accountable for her crimes.
"Aquino's effort to cover up it failure in addressing the wosening poverty of his people, and the mounting public pressure to make Mrs. Arroyo accountable for her crimes are more valid reasons behind Corona's impeachment," the group said.
Although Kadamay has supported Corona's impeachment, the urban poor group has also expressed its doubt on the sincerity of Aquino administration in putting Mrs Arroyo behind bars.
Prosecuting Mrs Arroyo is long-delayed promise of Aquino to the people. "Arroyo's attempt to leave the country, the pro-peasant SC ruling on the HLI, and his failure to uplift the economy are actually the pivotal points in this highly political impeachment proceeding that will start on Monday," Arellano pointed out. ###
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MIHIHIRAP
Militant Center of the Urban Poor
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)
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