MANILA – House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to expedite the impeachment proceedings against the seven Supreme Court justices who ousted Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice.
“The most important thing is to expedite it one way or another so that it does not really disturb the legislative agenda,” Arroyo said in an ambush interview on Friday after distributing relief goods to the Aeta community in Porac, Pampanga.
The seven magistrates facing impeachment raps are Noel Tijam, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Lucas Bersamin, Diosdado Peralta, and Francis Jardeleza.
Arroyo said she will transmit the impeachment complaints to the House committee on rules so that it would be included in the House’s order of business next Tuesday.
“I checked with the Secretary General (Roberto Maling) this morning on my way here. He has already transmitted the impeachment charge to my office and then they will send me the transmittal for my signature later here in Pampanga so that I can transmit it also today to the rules committee,” she added.
Under the impeachment process, the complaints should then be referred to the House committee on justice within three session days thereafter.
The justice committee, after conducting hearings and by a majority vote of all its members, shall submit its report to the House within 60 session days from such referral. (PNA)
