'SC decision on GMA travel to boost impeach case vs Aquino'

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyer Oliver Lozano yesterday said the Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband to travel abroad would boost his impeachment complaint against President Aquino.

According to Lozano, he is expecting two members of the House of Representatives to endorse his impeachment complaint.

With the endorsement of the two lawmakers, Lozano said the case would be transmitted to the House committee on justice for deliberation and determination if the complaint was sufficient in substance and form.

Lozano declined to identify the two congressmen pending the formal filing of the complaint.

He earlier claimed the impeachment complaint that he sent to congressmen is generating positive response not only from members of Congress but also from various groups in the country.

“The alliance in support of the impeachment is now in motion and it’s only a matter of time before a formal endorsement from members of Congress will be made anytime before Christmas,” Lozano said.

He said three prominent political personalities had already sent feelers expressing their support for his crusade on the supremacy of the Constitution.

Lozano conceded impeachment is a numbers game and considering the number of allies of Aquino in the House, it is possible that it will die a natural death at the committee level.

Lozano asserted he has nothing personal against Aquino and the impeachment complaint is meant as a wake-up all for the President to reassess his advisers who are responsible for the legal problems his administration is facing today.

Lozano earlier clarified that the complaint was addressed to the 219 congressmen who signed a resolution for a military burial for the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

A supplemental complaint included the travel ban on the Arroyos, which he said is a clear violation of the Constitution.

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