Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio, in separate interviews, also maintained the opposition no longer has the will and determination to pursue another impeachment bid since they know it will probably fail like the first complaint.
"Impeachment is a lost cause not only because it lacks popular support, (but because) it has no legal leg to stand on," Bunye said.
"Moreover, it has lost relevance in the face of increasing political and economic stability," he said.
Amid the new impeachment threats, the President vowed to work harder and transform the country into an "enchanted kingdom."
"We’ve shown we can survive. Now we must compete and then succeed. Then we will be in the enchanted kingdom," Mrs. Arroyo said during the national conference of employers held at the Enchanted Kingdom amusement park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna yesterday.
Bunye and Claudio, for their part, reiterated the people wanted an end to "these political charades and to give President Arroyo a clear opportunity to battle the nation’s challenges."
"The people do not want another round of political noise, controversy, mudslinging and backsliding," Bunye said in referring to the political turmoil that accompanied the last impeachment proceedings against Mrs. Arroyo.
Claudio said members of the opposition in the House of Representatives are fully aware that their own constituents do not support another move to impeach Mrs. Arroyo.
Whatever "semblance of support" the lawmakers had last year from their colleagues and constituents for the failed impeachment bid is already gone, Claudio said.
"The new impeachment move, if it prospers, is bereft of substance, public support, and chances of success," he said.
Another ranking Palace official described the planned attempt by the House minority as "almost suicidal."
The official stressed that another move for them to impeach the President could ruin their political ambitions for next year.
"We can even challenge them to stage rallies in support of another impeachment and let’s see what happens," the official said.
Compounding the quarrel over the wisdom of filing another impeachment complaint are the plans of other opposition congressmen to run as senators in the midterm elections next year.
"So they are trying to get maximum public exposure through combative pronouncements," the official observed.
"We don’t need to recruit them or invite them to join us" in the administration bloc, the official said.
"Many of them converse with their counterparts in the administration and vent their frustrations. Of course we are more than happy to give them solace and support," the official said.
The official predicted many opposition leaders will be jumping ship come election season because of the threat of another impeachment complaint looming.
The allegations triggered street protests while key advisers and Cabinet members resigned.
Lawmakers of the administration later voted down the impeachment complaint last September.
The opposition led by Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero as House Minority Leader said they would file the case anew when Congress resumes session in July, or after the one-year ban on filing a second impeachment case expires. — With Aurea Calica, AFP