Arroyo impeachment bid dismissed

Manila: An impeachment complaint against Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was dismissed by a parliamentary committee yesterday, and analysts said the victory would embolden allies trying to extend her term.

Under the constitution, Arroyo is not eligible for re-election when her term ends in 2010. However, a series of political victories for her administration have led to renewed talk of changing the constitution.

"It puts her in a much stronger position to effect a change in the constitution prior to 2010, to possibly a parliamentary system wherein she could run for a seat in her hometown and then be elected as prime minister," said Peter Wallace of the Wallace Business Forum consultancy.

Political uncertainty

But he said the move would not go down well with investors.

"It is again raising what is already here, a considerable amount of political uncertainty in the Philippines. And this has been a major deterrent to new foreign investment," he said.

In televised proceedings earlier in the day, the justice committee of the House of Representatives voted 42-8 to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Arroyo for lack of substance.

The decision will be put to a vote in the full House next week, but the legislature is packed with Arroyo's supporters. It is expected endorse the dismissal of the complaint.

Constitution: Graceful transition

In one of its most forceful declarations on the Charter change issue, the Presidential palace yesterday said that President Gloria Arroyo will veto any Bill extending her term of office beyond 2010, if such a legislative measure is ever approved by Congress acting as a constituent assembly.

- Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent