3 impeach raps vs Aquino 'insufficient in substance'

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives justice committee on Tuesday overwhelmingly dismissed the three impeachment complaints filed against President Benigno S. Aquino III as insufficient in substance.

After about four hours of debates, each of the three impeachment complaints received only four affirmative votes, 54 negative votes and zero abstentions.

The first impeachment complaint accused Aquino of committing culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) of his administration. It was signed by 28 individuals, including leaders of various sectors and members of the academe.

The second case filed by youth groups also stemmed from the DAP and alleged that Aquino committed betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption with the controversial stimulus program, which was declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The third complaint accused Aquino of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for entering into an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States.

The three complaints were filed last July and were endorsed by lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc.

Aquino had expressed confidence that the impeachment complaints filed against him will be dismissed for lack of merit.

He noted that the cases were filed by those from the radical left who only want to oust him.

"Many members of leftist groups have rallied many times in front of my house on Times Street when they are angry at me, when we all know that I'm not there," Aquino said in Filipino in an interview with Bombo Radyo aired last week.