The year that was in Congress: By the numbers
Sunday, January 1, 2012
MANILA – Three-fourths of the 285 duly-elected members of the House of Representatives belongs to the majority coalition. This is one of the reasons why the Aquino administration manages to push through with its political and legislative agenda in Congress.
In 2011 alone, the House leadership led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. impeached two high-ranking public officials – then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, for betrayal of public trust, and Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona, for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and graft and corruption.
The Aquino-backed moves in Congress include the following:
No mercy for ‘Merci’
Former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, an appointee of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was impeached with a vote of 212-46-4. The number was double the required 95 votes.
Gutierrez was the second public official impeached by the House of Representatives. The first was former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada back in 2000.
The impeachment complaint against Gutierrez listed six articles of impeachment from her alleged inaction on the case involving the anomalous National Broadband Network project with China’s ZTE Corporation to the low conviction rate recorded in the Ombudsman’s office from 2008 onwards.
Gutierrez was impeached after the High Tribunal allowed the House justice committee to push through with its proceedings. The SC had earlier issued a status quo ante order on the House panel’s proceedings after the respondent filed a petition before the court.
The Senate trial, however, did not push through after Gutierrez chose to resign from her post. She submitted her resignation to President Benigno Aquino III just 10 days before the Senate trial.
Aquino has appointed retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to replace Gutierrez.
SC chief’s impeachment: Like a thief in the night
At least 15 lawmakers will have their hands full next year as they prove SC Chief Justice Renato Corona is guilty of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption.
The 11-man prosecution panel has been assigned tasks in the eight articles of impeachment while the designation of spokespersons and deputy spokespersons are also being finalized.
On December 12, 188 House members signed an impeachment complaint against Corona, a so-called midnight appointee of their colleague, Pampanga Representative Arroyo.
The signing of the complaint was done in a matter of hours during a majority caucus where the contents of the document were explained.
In his reply to the impeachment complaint submitted to the Senate, Corona said his impeachment was done “like a thief in the night” after several lawmakers claimed the complaint was rushed and the non-release of their priority development assistance fund (PDAF) was used as threat against them.
Among them was Anad party-list Representative Pastor Alcover Jr. who may now be a subject of a House ethics committee probe for his claim that his colleagues received P1 million each in exchange for their signatures in the complaint.
Navotas City Representative Tobias Tiangco, meanwhile, had to become an independent member of the House after he resigned from the majority coalition. Tiangco found it unfair that Corona was not given due process.
Unlike Gutierrez, the SC chief had expressed no intentions of quitting from his post. The court’s spokesperson had also said that taking a leave of absence is not an option for Corona.
If Corona is convicted in the Senate, he will become the first head of the Judiciary to be removed from office through an impeachment process. Senate trial starts January 16.
SC Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo is also facing an impeachment case for plagiarism but some House justice committee members said this will likely be less prioritized than that of Corona’s.
Armm elections postponement
Last March, House members voted 191-47-2 approving on second and third reading a measure postponing the August elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm). The bill was certified as urgent by President Aquino.
Under Republic Act (RA) 10153 synchronizing the Armm polls with the midterm elections in 2013, Aquino is granted the power to appoint officers-in-charge in the region until officials are elected.
Although there is still a pending petition questioning the RA 10153 before the SC, Aquino had already appointed Mujiv Hataman, a former Anak Mindanao party-list representative, as the region’s OIC.
The Aquino government sought the postponement of the Armm elections to ensure that peace talks will not be hindered and electoral reforms will be institutionalized.
The never-ending debate
Some 20 years ago, the first version of the reproductive health (RH) bill was filed in the House of Representatives.
Seven congresses later, in the 15th Congress, the RH measure remains pending for approval. In the Lower House, it is still being debated upon for second reading approval.
Although the highly-divisive measure has been endorsed by the President himself in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) priority bills, its approval would need to wait until 2012, House leaders said. That is if so-called “pro-life” legislators will not cause any more delay in its approval.
At least 20 anti-RH lawmakers are still waiting for their turn to debate on the bill. Most senior lawmakers have already raised issues on abortion, religion and pre-marital sex.
President Aquino had repeatedly said he is in favor of providing information to couples on family planning choices available to them.
Speaker Belmonte, meanwhile, admitted that he is having a hard time in putting the controversial measure to a vote considering the opposing stance of several House leaders.
Aquino’s Liberal Party is yet to take a party stand on the issue. With a party stand, the House leadership could muster enough votes to get the RH bill’s approval.
Pro-RH legislators are keeping their fingers crossed that 2012 could be the year that the bill will finally be signed into law. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/01/01/year-was-congress-numbers-198372
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Visitors come from Manila, Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at Yats Restaurant. Many guests order excellent white wine from the award-winning restaurant wine list of this famous fine dining restaurant in Clark. Favorite wine orders for guests in this restaurant include Chablis, Chassagne-Montrachet, Sancerre, Chardonnay of Chile’s Casa Lapastolle, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and South Africa, Rose from Anjou, Pinot Noir from USA and Burgundy France and the all-time favorite, Meursault. A wide range of sparkling wine and Champagne is available also in this restaurant in Pampanga which is famous for its selection of vintage wines. Popular choices of guests in this restaurant include Paul Bara Champagne, Crement de Bourgogne, MUMM Cuvee Napa Sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava.
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(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
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How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Pampanga? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
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