Aroyo steps down?
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They are probably just ard the corner, waiting for a chance to take away a big piece of filipino pie!!Originally posted by iveco:If that happens, expect their good friend Washington to step in and restore order.
Seems like arroyo is hanging out for the impeachment trials. And it is turning out to be a game of poker between arroyo and her opponents.. Will her opponents call her bluff to press on for the impeachment? If they do, and arroyo has a royal flush, then they will be in deep S-hit. If they dun, arroyo will pull-off an incredible escape..
CNA
Posted: 12 July 2005 1509 hrs
Philippine opposition changes tack as tide starts turning for Arroyo
MANILA : Opposition legislators say they will try to impeach Philippine President Gloria Arroyo after the embattled leader defied strong pressure to resign over a political scandal.
In signs that the tide may be turning for Arroyo after a tumultuous five days, more voices warned against any attempts to oust her other than by constitutional means.
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In a change of tactics, opposition legislators said Tuesday they would now endorse an impeachment complaint already filed by a private citizen in Congress. They had previously shunned this route for fear that Arroyo's allies, who are in the majority, would block it.
Some critics who last week joined calls for Arroyo to step down were backtracking. And despite some calls by influential business groups for Arroyo's resignation, others were opposed.
Or will arroyo find the heat too strong, and quit the game midway by stepping down?
with each day, the stakes just gets higher.. -
Opponents of Philippine leader turn to impeachment after protests fail
MANILA : Opponents of President Gloria Arroyo have admitted that street protests are unlikely to topple the Philippine leader but said they believe they can win enough support to impeach her in Congress over a political scandal.
Some 30,000-35,000 people packed the Makati financial district on Wednesday to demand the president quit over claims she stole the 2004 election, but the turnout was lower than organisers had hoped for.
"I don't think you are going to get her out with all of these rallies that we are holding," said senior opposition Congressman Ronaldo Zamora on Thursday.
But Zamora said they might have enough numbers to vote for impeachment because some of Arroyo's allies in Congress had changed sides.
"Basically, for the first time, the numbers are moving towards our direction. We will be starting the impeachment process with a really substantial number," he said.
Arroyo ally Congressman Joey Salceda, quoted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said the opposition was already assured of 73 of the required 79 votes to hear the impeachment complaint.
Her spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said street protests will not solve the country's myriad problems.
"We respect every one's right to freedom of speech and assembly, but we still maintain that the problems besetting the country will not be solved by loud noises in the street," Bunye said.
Share prices closed 1.37 percent higher on Thursday after political uncertainty subsided.
"It looks like yesterday's rally, though exceptionally well produced, did not get the numbers. It has somehow eased the uncertainty that Mrs Arroyo would just walk away because of a mass uprising," said Nestor Aguilao of DA Market Securities.
Arroyo vowed that street protests will not drive her from office.
"If they want unrest in the street, I will enforce the law. I will stop any violence. If they want to subvert the constitution, I will fight them every step of the way," she said in a speech aired over government radio.
"This is not a popularity contest, this is a contest for improving the life of our population. My (opinion) surveys may be down but my resolve has never been higher."
The military and police announced that they had lowered the red alert ordered in the capital for the rally, which passed off peacefully.
However, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the government was anticipating an even larger protest rally on July 25 when the president makes her annual address to Congress.
Zamora said the opposition was strengthening an impeachment complaint previously filed by an activist lawyer and would present it to the House of Representatives by July 22.
At least one-third of members of the House must vote in favour of impeachment before the case goes to the Senate for trial.
The opposition charges that an audiotape of a wiretapped conversation shows Arroyo cheated to win the elections. In it a woman sounding like Arroyo holds a conversation with an election commissioner, who appears to offer to fix her vote.
Arroyo has denied any wrongdoing and refused to resign even after key cabinet members and political allies turned against her. She has welcomed any effort to impeach her, saying this will give her a chance to clear herself.
The opposition was initially wary of impeachment for fear that Arroyo's allies, who control Congress, might quash the complaint.
"Essentially, the president made up the minds of both the majority and the minority. She has made it very clear that she is not resigning," Zamora said.
Opposition Congressman Peter Cayetano said the impeachment complaint was not for specific crimes but rather for "obstruction of justice and for perjury".
The impeachment procedure in the House would take at least six months, assuming no further legal issues are raised, Cayetano added.
House Majority floor leader Prospero Nograles said talk about how congressmen would vote was "speculative".
"I think this is going to be a matter of conscience: the entire Filipino people will be watching you (legislators)," he said.
"I don't think (the congressmen) will fool around with this. They will look at the evidence, look at the political situation, consult with their constituents." - AFP/de -
She shall step down..... let her taste the way when she(as Vice P) betray Estrada(then president). She is the one who sabo Estrada and make force her partner to step down and jail. She is very cunning and despicable to be trustworthy by the people.
Let her taste it...