Opposition wants to revoke GMA proclamation

After their failed impeachment bid against President Arroyo, opposition members of the House of Representatives are considering what they themselves recognize to be a desperate move: revoking Congress’ 2004 proclamation of Mrs. Arroyo as the duly elected president.

"If Congress can give that power (to proclaim Mrs. Arroyo as president), then Congress can also take it back," House Deputy Minority Leader Rolex Suplico told reporters in a press forum yesterday.

It is a "moral obligation of every congressman" to recall the proclamation if it is proven that Mrs. Arroyo indeed cheated her way to victory in last year’s presidential election, he said.

"We can recall or revoke that proclamation. What Congress proclaimed, Congress can also withdraw. The power that can be given can also be taken back."

Suplico conceded that the move is a long shot. "We’re crossing our fingers. Yes, suntok ito sa buwan (This is a shot at the moon). But you have to remember that this is the Congress where many firsts have been done. We are studying this option. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there."

They will study the possibility of filing a joint resolution with the Senate calling for the recall of the election victory proclamation, he said.

Suplico’s opposition colleague, Rep. Jacinto Paras of Negros Oriental, is pessimistic. "Nothing will happen to that. At the end of the day, we will just be outnumbered in the voting. But what we can be proud of is at least we tried our best."

Last June, the opposition released audiotapes allegedly containing conversations between former election official Virgilio Garcillano and a woman who sounds like Mrs. Arroyo about rigging the elections.

Mrs. Arroyo apologized for a "lapse in judgment" in speaking to an unnamed election official before the votes were tallied but has denied cheating to win the May 2004 polls. She did not identify the official.

She described her action as a clumsy bid to protect her slim margin amid a slow vote count.

Her qualified apology sparked resignations of key cabinet members in July and a number of key allies including ex-President Corazon Aquino and Senate President Franklin Drilon. Some business leaders urged her to step down.

In September, Mrs. Arroyo’s allies in the House quashed an impeachment complaint against her on charges of vote rigging.

That led to a protracted battle with the opposition.

Garcillano disappeared after the audiotapes were made public.

Paras also expressed doubt that Garcillano’s return would boost their chances of forcing Mrs. Arroyo out of office.

The House and the Senate are conducting separate inquiries into the electoral fraud allegations against Mrs. Arroyo.

"Nothing is going to happen in that investigation. In the end it would be administration-dominated House that will vote on the outcome of the investigation. Garcillano’s appearance won’t force GMA out of the Palace," Paras said.

Garcillano said he would appear at the House inquiry on Wednesday.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez said it is an opportunity for Garcillano to clear himself of accusations that he conspired to help Mrs. Arroyo win by a narrow one-million-vote margin in the elections.