Party-list groups to block impeach moves vs PNoy

MANILA, Philippines - A party-list coalition in the House of Representatives is determined to block the impeachment complaints against President Aquino endorsed by party-list congressmen.

Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, among the 48 members of the coalition, said Monday that holding an impeachment proceeding will drain the time of Congress in fulfilling various technical requirements under the Constitution.

"Hindi basta-basta ang mag-impeach ng presidente," Batocabe said in an interview with reporters on Monday, ahead of the opening of Congress and Aquino's State of the Nation Address.

Three impeachment complaints have been filed against Aquino this month, two of which are connected to the administration's controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program and another on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

Batocabe said that Congress should instead discuss issues and channel its resources and attention on the government's agenda, including the drafting of bills that would boost the country's economy.

He explained that impeachment complaints will take months under the House Committee on Justice and a few more months in the plenary. If the complaints get pass the House of Representatives, it will be endorsed to the Senate for the trial.

Batocabe added that there is no use to have Aquino ousted through an impeachment process, since the President's term would end in two years or in 2016.

"So bakit mo pa kailangan i-impeach kung aalis din naman?" the lawmaker said.