Opposition will no longer push for GMA impeachment

MANILA, Philippines -- Opposition legislators will just wait for President Arroyo to finish her term and file appropriate graft charges against her rather than file another impeachment complaint, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño bared today (Aug. 12).

Casiño said there is a growing consensus among minority congressmen to merely wait for Mrs. Arroyo to step down on June 30, 2010, because many of them are now focusing on next year’s elections.

In an interview at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, Casiño said that although there is still time to file the impeachment complaint against the President, opposition lawmakers have opted to let Mrs. Arroyo vacate her post instead.

"They can just file it (graft charges) at the Office of the Ombudsman when her (Mrs. Arroyo's) term ends in June," the party-list congressman said.

Fresh impeachment raps could only be lodged starting September, Casiño added.

He said among those impeachable offenses that could be included in the complaint are the recent alleged lavish dinner at a New York City restaurant by Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage, and her unexplained wealth. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)