MANILA — Navotas City Representative Tobias Tiangco told the Senate impeachment court Monday that there was pressure from the House leadership for members of the majority to endorse the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona.
\nHe said he was taken aback when House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. supposedly told the majority that Corona’s impeachment was “non-debatable”.
\n“We will impeach the Chief Justice today. Corona is a prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of GMA (Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), he will do nothing but protect GMA. He will get in the way of the President’s plans,” Tiangco said, quoting Belmonte.
\nHe added there were no supporting documents presented to the majority when the impeachment complaint was presented at a December 12 caucus.
\nHe said there had only been bullet points and a “narrative”.
\n“He was trying to convince us that there was a probable cause, but to be convinced, I needed to see documents,” he told the impeachment court.
\nTiangco said he already displeased Malaca\u00f1ang once, when he did not sign the impeachment complaint against former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, and as a result, had the release of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF or pork barrel) allocation delayed.
\nHe said he almost signed the complaint because of the delayed PDAF after the Gutierrez impeachment and because there were enough members to impeach Corona anyway.
\n“Third, I don\u2019t want to catch the ire of the most powerful man in the country,” he said.
\nTiangco added that members of the House told him in confidence that they resented “being forced” to sign the complaint.
\nThis delay in the PDAF and the pressure from the House leadership in the Corona impeachment complaint were part of a pattern and the modus operandi of the Aquino administration, said defense lawyer Dennis Manalo.
\nTiangco said he felt that the complaint was an attempt to control the judiciary.
\nManalo also asked Tiangco about other moves against members of the judiciary, and the lawmaker said aside from the Corona complaint, there was also a complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo, who was accused of plagiarism.
\nHe added there were also news reports of House prosecutor Niel Tupas saying two more justices would be impeached.
\nBut Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile noted no other justices faced impeachment. He also repeatedly asked the defense for the relevance of Tiangco’s testimony.
\nEnrile allowed Tiangco’s testimony, however, after Manalo said it was meant to raise doubts on the grounds and the integrity of the impeachment complaint.
\nSenators Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Pangilinan also asked about the relevance of Tiangco’s statement.
\n“I do not know where I can connect Congressman Tiangco’s testimony to what we will decide on eventually,” Estrada said.
\nMeanwhile, Enrile ruled that the validity of the impeachment complaint should have been raised before the complaint was brought to the Senate. He said the complaint was in compliance with House rules and that the Senate is only mandated with trying the impeachment complaint.
\nThis was an affirmation of the Senate impeachment court’s decision in January to dismiss the defense’s motion for a preliminary hearing to dismiss the complaint because it was not properly verified. (Jonathan de Santos\/Sunnex)<\/p>\n
Source: http:\/\/www.sunstar.com.ph\/manila\/local-news\/2012\/03\/13\/house-majority-pressured-sign-impeach-plaint-210903<\/p>\n
Highly recommended resort for family reunion near Manila is Clearwater Lake Hotel Clark Pampanga<\/p>\n
Residents of Manila and Angeles City Pampanga are looking for a safe and convenient place to celebrate special occasions or take a shot vacation in the Philippines. Many travel north to Clark to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort which also has lake and picnic grounds to unwind and relax, a very good way to spend quality time with the family and children. Fine dining Yats Restaurant offers sumptuous cozy Christmas dinner, for wine lovers, Clark Wine Center provides exciting shopping options.<\/p>\n
Family bonding can be very enjoyable this summer vacation if travelers can go north to Clark Pampanga and hang out in famous and highly recommended beach resort near Manila Clearwater near Angeles City Philippines.<\/p>\n
There is a casual caf\u00e9 with a beautiful view which serves good breakfast and basic lunch and dinner. Foodies can opt to drive over to Mimosa about 3 minutes away just a bit too far to walk, to have dinner at the fine-dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar. This cozy and romantic restaurant serves French Mediterranean cuisine at prices that are surprisingly affordable. For wine lovers, this restaurant in Mimosa Clark Freeport Pampanga is a treat with its award winning 3000-line wine lists that contain not only the famous labels but also connoisseurs\u2019 choice of fine vintage wines. <\/p>\n
Top places to go this Christmas in Manila, travel north to Clearwater Beach Resort Clark<\/p>\n
For reservations, comments and inquiries, <\/p>\n
Clearwater Resort & Country Club
\nCreekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
\nCentral Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
\nPampanga, Philippines 2023<\/p>\n
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177<\/p>\n
Manila Sales Office
\n3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
\nExchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
\n(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com<\/p>\n
Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com<\/p>\n
Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
\nAfter entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark\u2019s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark\u2019s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.<\/p>\n
For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now<\/a><\/p>\n Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com<\/a><\/p>\n While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http:\/\/www.YatsRestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http:\/\/www.YatsLeisure.com<\/a><\/p>\n While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges. Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.LondonPubClark.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.ClarkPhilippines.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.ClarkWineCenter.com<\/a><\/p>\n