Dismissal of Motion of Intervention

Dismissal of Motion of Intervention

The House Committee on Justice dismissed today for lack of jurisdiction the Motion of Intervention we supported last November 12, 2008. The Motion calls to task President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the willful and intentional violation of the constitutional mandate of full public disclosure on matters affecting the public interest; violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines; and violation of the principle of separation of powers, including the executive’s infringement upon legislative prerogatives, duties and functions.

The dismissal is not only a major disappointment for us but is a grave disservice to the nation.

We were hoping that our esteemed lawmakers would have been guided by the Supreme Court ruling finding the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain as unconstitutional. We have hoped in vain.

The House Committee on Justice is now set to rule on the substance of the impeachment case. We look forward to a seamless process.

The recital of facts which we trust will support our assertion that the impeachment case we filed is sufficient in substance; the presentation of evidence and testimonies from concerned lawmakers; and in the end the call for the President to respond and answer the allegations against her.

It was brought up today that a panel of minority and majority congressmen that is equal in number will be called upon to speak their minds on the impeachment complaint. This will be finalized tomorrow. If this happens, the vote will obviously remain with the Committee on Justice.

We still expect the unexpected though most have already written us off on the very day we filled the impeachment case.

We still aspire to see lawmakers following their conscience and voting for what is true and just.

It will be a tragedy for all of us if this impeachment case will be killed‚ just like the many others before it.

It is even sadder to admit that what has been unfolding is all part of a script wherein we are all forced to say the lines and act the parts that those in power had written.

Joey de Venecia III talks to the media after the House Committee on Justice hearing that dismissed the Motion for Intervention on the Memorandum on Agreement on Ancestral Domain.

Posted in Dismissal Motion, News |