President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the nauguration of Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory) in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday (July 21). Ciudad de Victoria is a 50-hectare tourism enterprise zone established by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in time for its centennial celebration on Sunday (July 27). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacanang on Tuesday said it trusted congressmen to decide on what must be done with the impeachment complaints filed against President Benigno Aquino III although it admitted that the decision of the lawmakers would ultimately be a numbers game.
“Hindi maikakaila na mahalaga ang numero dito dahil sa kahuli-hulihan magbobotahan kung maipapasa o hindi ang impeachment ngunit naniniwala pa rin kami na katotohanan, katuwiran at kapakanan ng mga mamayan ang dapat pairalin,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters in a briefing at the Palace.
(We cannot deny that what is important here is numbers because at the end, the representatives will vote on whether an impeachment complaint should approved but we believe that the truth, justice and the welfare of the people should be prioritized.)
Coloma refused, however, to comment on the basis of the complaints, which tackled the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), but merely said the issue has now entered the political arena where legislators, as opposed to justices, will have the last say.
Coloma was reacting to the two impeachment complaints filed against the president questioning the DAP this week at the House of Representatives, which is dominated by Aquino allies.
He said they trusted the people’s representatives to do what was right.
Bayan Muna and Anakpawis representatives on Monday endorsed the complaint filed by 28 petitioners, from various people’s organizations and civil society groups, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
On Tuesday morning, a similar complaint filed by youth groups was endorsed by Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon. (MNS)