GMA: No reason to impeach me

President Arroyo shrugged off yesterday suggestions by former Sen. Rene Saguisag that she may have committed impeachable acts when she willingly abetted ranking military and police officials in a plot to oust his client, former President Joseph Estrada.

The President shrugged off the lawyer’s threat to file with Congress another impeachment case against her.

"I have not committed any impeachable act," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Saguisag, who is handling Estrada’s petition to regain the presidency, earlier wrote to Executive Secretary Renato de Villa about the possibility of filing impeachment and court martial complaints against Mrs. Arroyo and five senior police and military officials.

However, the government said if Saguisag would indeed file an impeachment complaint, he would have to go through the justice committee of the House of Representatives.

But his complaint will not be entertained, even by Estrada supporters, because under the Constitution, no impeachment complaint can be legally filed within one year after a similar complaint.

After Estrada was impeached last November, an impeachment complaint was filed against then Vice President Arroyo by her own party mate, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay.

Aside from Mrs. Arroyo and Reyes, Saguisag said Marine Lt. Gen. Edgardo Espinosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) chief Director Hermogenes Ebdane and Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya were also in on the plot.

Saguisag noted that Mrs. Arroyo admitted she had known about the coup plot against Estrada.

In another development, former US presidential aspirant Sen. Bob Dole called up Mrs. Arroyo at Malacañang yesterday to congratulate her and to offer assistance to the new leader.

The Palace Press Office said the President had a 15-minute telephone conversation with Dole, who invited her to visit the US as soon as her schedule permits.

"And if ever you need any assistance in the US, I’m here," Dole was quoted as telling Arroyo.

"That’s wonderful, Senator. I’m sure to take you up on that one of these days," Mrs. Arroyo replied.