Philippines leader faces 1st impeachment vote
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-08-23 14:18

An opposition bid to oust Philippines President Gloria Arroyo over alleged vote-rigging is facing its first crucial test with Congress set to make an initial vote on impeachment deamnds against her, reported AFP.

After two weeks of acrimonious televised debates, House of Representatives justice committee chairman Simeon Datumanong said the 95-member committee would select which of three complaints filed against her would be heard.

In a bit of political manoeuvring, the committee -- dominated by Arroyo allies -- was expected to opt to hear what is believed to be the weakest complaint, even though the opposition has threatened a walk-out if it does.

Arroyo has been under fire for weeks since an audiotape was leaked on which a woman sounding like her tells a supposed election official to fix the outcome of last year's presidential election.

Filipino protesters shout slogans during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City, north of Manila, August 23, 2005. [Reuters]

Arroyo has since said she erred in calling an electoral official before all the votes were counted but has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that she will not step down.

The admission sparked cabinet resignations and defections from key allies who called on her to step down as her popularity rating dropped.

No impeachment complaint has ever succeeded in removing a Filipino president from office, but three have been filed against her.

The opposition have been unable so far to get one-third of the House membership, or 79 congressmen, to accept any complaints and send them to the Senate, leaving the matter to the justice committee, which is heavy with Arroyo supporters.

What is seen as the weakest complaint is that she betrayed public trust. The other two, not related to the election, include allegations that her family profited from illegal gambling.

"Whichever complaint wins, we will continue discussing it and then go to other matters pertinent to the impeachment proceedings," Datumanong said.

After Tuesday's vote, the committee will determine whether the complaint is "sufficient in form or substance" and vote again whether to send it to the entire House.

The House then votes whether to send the case for trial in the Senate. A two-thirds vote of the 23 members would then be needed to convict her and remove her from office.

An opposition defeat at this stage could be decisive as the constitution states: "No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year."

Meanwhile the election official supposedly heard on the tape, Virgilio Garcillano, has apparently left the country, according to immigration officials. He went into hiding after the tapes emerged.

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