'Impeach raps for endorsement, by lawmakers'

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyer Oliver Lozano yesterday clarified the impeachment complaint that he sent to the House of Representatives was meant for endorsement by lawmakers, not to the House Secretary-General to be transmitted to the House committee on justice.

“That was the reason why I sent it through mail and the complaint was addressed to the 219 congressmen who signed a resolution for a military burial for the late President (Ferdinand) Marcos,” Lozano said.

Lozano was reacting to reports that the Office of the Secretary-General of the House has returned his complaint sent through mail.

“The Secretary-General has no business to return the impeachment complaint, only the addressee congressmen, besides I filed the complaint for their endorsement, not yet for deliberation,” he said.

Lozano also said he has not yet received the returned copy from the House Secretary-General and the supplemental complaint he filed early this week in connection with the travel ban on former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Lozano said he is expecting a group of congressmen to endorse his impeachment when Congress resumes session.

Technically there is still no impeachment case against President Aquino this year, Lozano pointed out, but only if his complaint will be referred to the House committee on justice.

“Aside from the Arroyo travel ban there are other sectors who want to incorporate other issues in the impeachment,” he claimed.

Among those who received a copy of the impeachment complaint is the office of Arroyo.

Lozano, however, said he has yet to receive any reply from Arroyo.