Unfazed Palace trusts Congress on impeachment raps vs PNoy

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is unfazed by the two impeachment complaints filed this week against President Benigno Aquino III over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. is confident that the actions of Congress, which is dominated by Aquino's allies, on the impeachment complaints will be for the welfare of the public.

"Katuwiran ang dapat na maging pangunahing batayan ng mga kinatawan. Sa kanilang pagpapasya, tiyak na isasaalang-alang nila ang saloobin at kapakanan ng mga mamamayan," Coloma said at a press briefing.

Coloma conceded that the impeachment process is a numbers game.

"Hindi maikakaila na mahalaga ang numero dito dahil sa kahuli-hulihan magbobotohan kung ipapasa o hindi ang panukalang impeachment," the Palace official said.

On Tuesday, youth groups filed an impeachment complaint at the House of Representatives against Aquino on the grounds of culpable violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust.

Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry Ridon endorsed the impeachment complaint.

It was the second valid impeachment complaint lodged against Aquino this week. On Monday, A total of 28 groups and personalities led by militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) filed an impeachment case.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. criticized Aquino for his defiance of the Supreme Court's ruling on the DAP.

"From what we saw, it is clear that Aquino not only violated the Constitution, he has no intention of upholding it. He sees himself as being above the law. He sees himself as beyond public scrutiny. He is a dictator-in-the-making," Reyes said.

Party-list representatives belonging to the Makabayan bloc led by Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna endorsed yesterday's complaint.

Under the House impeachment rules, a complaint cannot be entertained without the endorsement of at least one member of the chamber.

Earlier, Malacañang warned that any move to file an impeachment complaint against the President in connection with the DAP would be futile at this point since it is premature.

The DAP, a stimulus package that realigns government savings to other projects to boost the economy, has been unanimously declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Aquino, however, refused to accept the high court's ruling, describing it as "difficult to understand" and "deeply unsettling."

Instead, the President heavily criticized the SC and openly challenged the magistrates to reverse their decision.

The President's perceived "bullying" of the high court sparked protests from the public and even court employees.

But the Palace sees nothing wrong with these reactions, saying these are signs of a "healthy" democracy.

"Sa isang masiglang demokrasya, hindi natin mamasamain na merong pagkakaiba ng opinyon, merong mga mamamayan na nais magpunta sa lansangan upang ipahiwatig ang kanilang saloobin," Coloma said.

Coloma said the Palace is not seeking for statements of support.

"Wala pong patakaran ang administrasyon na hihilingin pa ito o magsosolicit pa ng ganito. Mas mainam po siguro kung ito ay boluntaryong ilalahad sa takdang panahon na gustong ilahad ng mga may saloobin sa ganyang direksyon," Coloma said.