Alleba Politics

Four. That’s one less than the fingers on one hand. That’s the number of votes that the Impeachment Intervention got. Out of the 55 members of the Committee on InJustice, only 39 warm bodies were present today. And of that 39, 35 voted to dismiss the Intervention.

Why? I don’t know either. Maybe the facts weren’t clear to them. Maybe they didn’t read the document, or didn’t understand it. But I bet, I bet my life on it, a vote to dismiss it would be the safest thing to do for themselves and their political ambitions.

The case is simple. Maliwanag pa sa araw. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo violated the constitution by entering into an agreement with a non-existent state, a state she created by entering into the agreement. With the BJE - MOA she not only created a state within a state, but also gave away land which was is not owned by the government, violating the rights of it’s rightful owners. Most important and most clear to all, Arroyo acted under the veil of secrecy, failing to consult the stakeholders in the agreement. Arroyo has and continues to violate the constitution. THESE ARE THE FACTS! FACTS THAT HAVE BEEN IGNORED AND DISMISSED BY THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE.

The Justice Committee, for everyone’s information, is made up of the following:

1. Chairperson Defensor, Matias, Jr. V.
2. Castro, Fred H.
3. Lagman, Edcel C.
4. Domogan, Mauricio G.
5. Arnaiz, George P.
6. Gonzalez, Raul Jr. T.
7. Garcia, Pablo John “PJ” F.
8. Nograles, Prospero C.
9. Cuenco, Antonio V.
10. Javier, Exequiel B.
11. Ablan, Roque Jr. R.
12. Lopez, Jaime C.
13. Locsin, Teodoro Jr. L.
14. Valdez, Edgar L.
15. Chatto, Edgar M.
16. Dumarpa, Faysah RPM
17. Codilla, Eufrocino Sr. M.
18. Cabilao, Belma A.
19. Chungalao, Solomon R.
20. Cerilles, Antonio H.
21. Seachon-Lanete, Rizalina
22. Malapitan, Oscar G.
23. Arbison, Munir M.
24. Cajes, Roberto C.
25. Tañada, Lorenzo III R.
26. Jaafar, Nur G.
27. Abaya, Joseph Emilio A.
28. Romualdo, Pedro P.
29. Biron, Ferjenel G., M.D.
30. Ortega, Victor Franciso C.
31. Puentevella, Monico O.
32. Macapagal-Arroyo, Juan Miguel
33. Balindong, Pangalian M.
34. Madrona, Eleandro Jesus F.
35. Gunigundo, Magtanggol T.
36. Aggabao, Giorgidi B.
37. San Luis, Edgar S.
38. Gullas, Eduardo R.
39. Cua, Junie E.
40. Mercado, Roger G.
41. Garcia, Pablo P.
42. Barzaga, Elpidio Jr. F.
43. Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G.
44. Matugas, Francisco T.
45. Go, Arnulfo F.
46. Bonoan-David, Ma. Theresa B.
47. Albano, Rodolfo III T.
48. Tupas, Niel Jr. C.
49. Zialcita, Eduardo C.
50. Largoza -Maza, Liza T.
51. Casiño, Teodoro A.
52. Guingona, Teofisto ‘TG’ III L.
53. Rodriguez, Rufus B.
54. Chipeco, Justin ‘Timmy’ SB.
55. Coquilla, Teodolo M.

Among these “representatives,” only Ocampo, Maza, Casino, and Mar-Len Abigail Binay (unlisted as member of the committee in the House of Representatives website) voted to accept the impeachment intervention.

Curiously, South Cotabato Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Bukidnon Representative Teofisto Guingona III who fought for the intervention during yesterday’s hearing was absent today. And I am disappointed. I was counting on Custodio to fight for Mindanao, to declare that an injustice done to Mindanao and its people has repercussions and consequences. Arroyo has used and continues to use Mindanao and it’s issues for her political gain. But this is proof that we are not willing to fight for ourselves. Of the more than 50 representatives for Mindanao, not one, not a single one of them voted to accept the intervention. Not even one of them lobbied for it. Not one of them endorsed it.

Let it be known that these congressmen, supposed representatives of Mindanao and its people stood idly by, while their land, their constituents, their constitution, their country was put in peril and bastardized by Arroyo:

1. Aquino, Jose II S.
2. Amante, Edelmiro A.
3. Plaza, Rodolfo ‘Ompong’ G.
4. Pancrudo, Candido Jr. P.
5. Guingona, Teofisto ‘TG’ III L.
6. Zubiri, Jose Ma. III F.
7. Uy, Rolando A.
8. Rodriguez, Rufus B.
9. Romualdo, Pedro P.
10. Zamora, Manuel ‘Way Kurat’ E.
11. Amatong, Rommel C.
12. Nograles, Prospero C.
13. Garcia, Vincent J.
14. Ungab, Isidro T.
15. Olaño, Arrel R.
16. Lagdameo, Antonio Jr. F.
17. Cagas, Marc Douglas IV C.
18. Bautista, Franklin P.
19. Dayanghirang, Nelson L.
20. Almario, Thelma Z.
21. Belmonte, Vicente Jr. F.
22. Dimaporo, Abdullah D.
23. Dumarpa, Faysah RPM
24. Balindong, Pangalian M.
25. Datumanong, Simeon A.
26. Clarete, Marina P.
27. Ramiro, Herminia M.
28. Emano, Yevgeny Vincente B.
29. Taliño-Mendoza, Emmylou ‘Lala’ J.
30. Piñol, Bernardo Jr. F.
31. Chiongbian, Erwin L.
32. Dilangalen, Didagen P.
33. Antonino-Custodio, Darlene R.
34. Pingoy, Arthur
35. Mangudadatu, Datu Pax S.
36. Go, Arnulfo F.
37. Jikiri, Yusop H.
38. Arbison, Munir M.
39. Matugas, Francisco T.
40. Romarate, Guillermo Jr. A.
41. Pichay, Philip A.
42. Garay, Florencio C.
43. Jaafar, Nur G.
44. Climaco, Maria Isabelle
45. Fabian, Erico Basilio A.
46. Jalosjos-Carreon, Cecilia G.
47. Labadlabad, Rosendo S.
48. Jalosjos, Cesar G.
49. Yu, Victor J.
50. Cerilles, Antonio H.
51. Cabilao, Belma A.
52. Hofer, Ann K.

These are the people who have FAILED to represent and defend their constituents in Mindanao. Let it be known that they refused to recognize and accept the facts, that they have acted contrary to their mandate, their duty to serve their constituents in Mindanao. Let it be known that they stood idly by while Arroyo gave away a piece of their land, created a state within our island, entered an agreement that put our people and our nation in peril. They have failed to serve, failed to do what they are paid to do.

A hundred congressmen was presented with a chance to serve, to prove that they are not politicians but public servants. But only four stood up to take that chance. The others? They proved to us one thing. They are not in power to serve the people, but to serve their own interests and political ambitions.

Caffeine Sparks has the minutes of the Justice Committee hearing on the Impeachment Intervention.

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