Opposition throws Arroyo impeachment process into chaos

(30 Aug 2005)
1. Wide of opposition congressmen showing alleged tampered election returns
2. Close up of opposition congressmen showing alleged tampered election returns
3. Susan Roces (lower screen right corner, in white shirt and green lapel tag), widow of defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe Junior, watching hearing from gallery
4. Various of session hall
5. Opposition congressmen shouting after session was adjourned
6. Opposition congressmen walking out, and throwing papers
7. Cutaway of crowd jeering
8. Wide shot of session hall, congressmen throwing papers and walking out, crowd jeering
9. SOUNDBITE: (Tagalog) Alan Peter Cayetano, Opposition congressman:
"The members from the majority are aware that we (the opposition), are on the way to getting 79 votes, so they are now railroading the hearing. First, they did not want to listen to the evidence, now there are points of order and important issues but they don''t want to listen to them. Why? It''s because our colleagues are now signing up."
10. Wide of anti-Arroyo protest outside congress building
11. Protestors with banners
12. Police at protest
13. Various of masked protestors
STORYLINE:
The impeachment process against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo fell into chaos on Tuesday, as opposition politicians walked out of a committee hearing and claimed her backers were unjustly trying to quash the case.
Some members of the House justice committee threw papers into the air as they stormed from the room when the committee chairman tried to cut off debate for a vote on which one of the three impeachment complaints against Arroyo should be considered.
The opposition wanted the debate to continue, amid allegations that Arroyo wants lawmakers to endorse the first complaint - the one considered weakest - to boost her chances to beat allegations that she rigged last year''s election.
When the Arroyo administration-dominated committee resumed work, opposition members were absent. They indicated they were unlikely to rejoin the proceedings.
Arroyo is the second Philippine president in five years to face impeachment.
Pro-Arroyo legislators dominate the 236-member House and one legislator urged lawmakers to endorse the opposition charges so they could be immediately transmitted to the Senate for trial.
Endorsement by at least 79 lawmakers could impeach Arroyo and transmit the complaint to the Senate for trial. The opposition claims it has more than 70.
"The members from the majority are aware that we (the opposition), are on the way to getting 79 votes, so they are now railroading the hearing", opposition congressman Alan Peter Cayetano said.
Opposition lawmakers and left-wing groups warned of protests if pro-Arroyo legislators kill the impeachment charges on a technicality.
Under the constitution, the House can institute only one impeachment proceeding against the president in a year.
Near the House''s main gate dozens of left-wing activists, wearing monkey masks, rallied carrying placards that read: "Impeach Gloria! No more monkey business."
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[@firefirefire3277]

Meanwhile in Britain, it's an everyday situation like this in the House of Commons.

[@jcomandante6629]

Pero di ko maisip ang sitwasyon ng Pilipinas kung si FPJ nanalo. Ahahaha

[@faceofkongos516]

What year is this?

[@sergedeleon9592]

Year 2005

[@solenemilio4364]

Kaya wala tayo pagbabago

[@levicorps2496]

Oo dahil sa mga taong tulad mo na nakaupo lang at walang kibo kahit na harap harapan ka nang kinukurakot.

[@paoo3353]

Kahit naman si FPJ manalo di uunlad eh.

[@kennethmorales5121]

Kaya nga

[@ibringthelastwords1358]

Pero ang pinaguusapan dito ay dinaya sya ni dorovo. may tama ka din naman na kahit sino ang ilagay dyan basta ganito sistema ng gobyerno walang mangyayari sa pinas.