Citizens’ congress to convene Tuesday with or without Palace reps

The accused, President Arroyo, and her representatives have seats reserved at the hearing set tomorrow when her trial of the Citizens’ Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA) on allegations of electoral cheating against her begins.

"Despite Malacañang’s expected snub, the awaited public probe (against) President Arroyo will proceed as scheduled," the CCTA said in a statement.

The CCTA, a 15-member body led by former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr., will begin the public trial of Mrs. Arroyo tomorrow at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

Lawmakers, on the other hand, claimed the proceedings are but a part of the opposition’s effort to discredit the President.

Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina and Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella said the CCTA trial would be a waste of time since the hearings would be based on the same allegations stated in the impeachment complaints against Mrs. Arroyo which were all dismissed by the House of Representatives last Sept. 6.

"The opposition is raring to have a rematch with their fraudulent charges, evidence and witnesses against the President. We expect full-blast disinformation against the President during their series of mock hearings," Baterina said.

Puentevella, for his part, said the CCTA hearings were mere "theatrics."

"First they served a summons to the President, now they formally organized the so-called people’s court. It’s all theatrics. The public should not pay any attention to their mock hearings and proceedings which are all illegal," Puentevella said.

Notwithstanding the criticisms, the CCTA led by Guingona announced that they will give Mrs. Arroyo a fair trial.

Guingona said they have invited Environment Secretary Michael Defensor to participate in the proceedings.

"You may, however, decide to be present from the start of the proceedings and participate on all the issues, including human rights violations and corruption. We will also allow you to be assisted by a lawyer or lawyers of your choice," Guingona told Defensor in the letter.

Defensor, who served as Mrs. Arroyo’s spokesman during the 2004 presidential campaign, earlier expressed willingness to attend the "trial" in an effort to give balance to the accusations hurled against the President.

Defensor, however, decided to forgo his planned appearance after being prevailed upon by Malacañang that he would only give a semblance of legitimacy to the CCTA.

Palace officials have branded as the CCTA as "a kangaroo court which has no legal personality to enforce its decisions."

On the other hand, the CCTA convenors maintained tomorrow’s trial would serve as a constitutionally mandated forum to present, weigh, and scrutinize evidence of Mrs. Arroyo’s culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and involvement in graft and corruption.

Guingona added the CCTA will not hand out a verdict on whether or not Mrs. Arroyo is guilty, but will submit a record of its proceedings for the people to decide.

The members of the so-called "people’s court" that will try President Arroyo include 1993 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, Sr. Mary John Mananzan of St. Scholastica’s College and Dr. Maria Serena Diokno.