Marcos lawyer files impeach raps vs GMA

And now, an impeachment complaint against Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The complaint, filed by Oliver Lozano with the House of Representatives last Wednesday, accuses Arroyo of "culpable violation of the Constitution and/or betrayal of public trust."

The petition was received by the House records section.

Lozano has written members of the Bright Boys, a group of young congressmen belonging to the administration Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) coalition, asking them to endorse his complaint.

His letter was addressed to Representatives Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Allan Peter Cayetano of Taguig-Pateros, Francis Escudero of Sorsogon, Ace Durano of Cebu, Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin, Neptali Gonzalez II of Mandaluyong and Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of Tarlac.

Perhaps unknown to Lozano, who was once a Marcos family lawyer, Cayetano and Gonzalez have bolted the ruling LAMP and called for President Estrada’s resignation.

Under House rules, an impeachment complaint filed by a citizen has to be endorsed by at least one House member before it can be entertained.

In the case of the petition asking for the removal of Mr. Estrada, it was signed by 115 House members, three as complainants and 112 as endorsers.

It is expected to be sent to the Senate on Monday so the President can be tried as soon as possible, unless Mr. Estrada’s allies succeed in blocking it.

Lozano alleged that Arroyo is violating the Constitution by working for the ouster of the President.

His evidence consists of various clippings of newspaper accounts of the Vice President’s activities ever since she quit the Cabinet in the wake of the jueteng scandal involving the President, and newspaper columns critical of Arroyo.

But Lozano’s impeachment complaint against Arroyo appeared headed for the legislative junkyard, the archives, because none of those he thought would be sympathetic to him is willing to endorse his petition.

In a statement, the Bright Boys said to set the record straight, they have nothing to do with Lozano’s complaint.

"The Bright Boys are working toward reconciliation and we would never allow ourselves to be used by Attorney Lozano or anyone for that matter for purposes that would further divide the Filipino people," the statement said.

The young LAMP congressmen warned Lozano that they would take legal action "against anybody who drags our names into this political undertaking."

The statement was sent to reporters by Albano’s office for Albano, Escudero, Durano, Romualdo and Teodoro, the remaining members of the Bright Boys.