Moreno concerned over impeachment, appeals for unity
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
Cagayan de Oro City (30 August 2005) -- Gov. Oscar S. Moreno of Misamis Oriental expressed concern over the current impeachment move against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by his former colleagues in Congress.
Moreno, who aired his concern during the 3rd Regional Key-3 Conference of the Boys Scouts of the Philippines, Eastern Mindanao Region held recently in Cagayan de Oro City, said while he believes that impeachment is the only door to remove a President, Vice-President, Chief and Justices of the Supreme Court, Ombudsman, etc., he is worried about the situation now.
“This was not the same during the 11th Congress when I filed an impeachment case against former Ombudsman Aniano Desierto. Then, only one congressman was needed to file for impeachment or a private citizen endorsed by a Congressman can do it,†he said.
During the 12th Congress, this was changed. A certain number of Congressmen has to be reached before an impeachment proceeding could be started.
And this is what is being followed now. Up to this moment, however, the signatories have not reached the desired figure. “Kulang pa gihapon hangtud karon (still the signatures are lacking in number). And this can drag on since there is no limit, no time frame for them to get those needed number of signatures,†he said.
“A situation like this demands that we transcend beyond our limits of wants and desires, beyond the horizon. What will happen if we continue to be like this? Sa tinuod lang, gikapuyan na ko sa ila (The truth is I am already tired of them) that I have stopped watching TV,†Moreno sighed.
“The opposition Congressmen will simply continue to apply pressure on the President. In the meantime, the President also uses her time and government resources to defend herself while the administration Congressmen will continue to put road blocks to stop the impeachment. Kinsa man ang alkanse (Who will stand to lose in the process)? What can we expect?†he asked.
Moreno, who also figured in the impeachment of Joseph Estrada said, “I did not do it simply because I was in the opposition, but because I felt it was my duty to do it. Congressman Francis Escudero then was in the administration. Mao nga dinhi sa Misamis Oriental, maningkamot na lang gyud mi (That’s why we here in Misamis Oriental will just have to do our best). We will just have to be self-reliant. Dili gyud mi magsalig sa (We will never depend on the) national government. We can do so many things if we only unite,“ Moreno stressed.
“Even if only one-half of the local government units all over the country will adopt the self-reliance scheme of governance by empowering themselves, we will be doing a miracle for the country already. We have to continue the moral transformation of liberating the national government from politics to generate participation on the enhancement of our resources to make the lives of our people better,†he also emphasized.
“Politics has become so polarized that the opposition congressmen, as well as those of the administration, have been having factions within their ranks. If we all unite to build trust on each other, I am sure it will be a good start to make a new beginning†Moreno added. (PIA-10)
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