22 beneficiaries of fertilizer fund did not inhibit from impeach hearing

MANILA -- Twenty-two members of the House of Representatives committee on justice who allegedly benefited from the P728-million fertilizer scam had refused to inhibit themselves from hearing the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.

Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor, panel chairman, said the committee on justice had “no power” to stop the 22 lawmaker from taking part in the hearing as requested by Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

It is discretionary on the concerned lawmaker if he or she would inhibit himself or herself from the hearing, he added.

Mariano said the 22 members of the justice committee “cannot be impartial” in the hearing.

“We cannot blame the Filipino people for raising strong doubts on the partiality of the 22 members of the justice panel who are actually included in the complaint,” he said.

“Delicadeza, honor, and dignity dictate that any member who stands as co-accused in this case must inhibit and be disqualified in the proceedings. Their vote to junk the impeachment complaint is a vote to absolve Ms. Arroyo and themselves.”

The 22 members of the justice committee are:

• Fredenil Castro (Capiz)

• George Arnaiz (Negros Oriental)

• Exequiel Javier (Antique)

• Roque Ablan (Ilocos Norte)

• Edgar Chatto (Bohol)

• Faysah Dumarpa (Lanao del Sur)

• Eufrocino Codilla Sr. (Leyte)

• Belma Cabilao (Zamboanga-Sibugay)

• Solomon Chungalao (Ifugao)

• Munir Arbison (Sulu)

• Roberto Cajes (Bohol)

• Pedro Romualdo (Camiguin)

• Victor Ortega (La Union)

• Monico Puentevella (Bacolod)

• Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga)

• Eleandro Madrona (Romblon)

• Junie Cua (Quirino)

• Eduardo Zialcita (Parañaque)

Ex-officio members

• Speaker Prospero Nograles (Davao City)

• Deputy Speaker Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur)

• Majority Leader Arthur Defensor (Iloilo)

• Victoria Reyes (Batangas)         – Delon Porcalla