Guingona files impeachment plea

Manila: Former vice-president Teofisto Guingona filed an impeachment complaint against President Arroyo on Tuesday.

The one-year prohibition against filing of a new complaint against Arroyo ended on June 26.

On Monday more than 200 citizens and organisations formally filed a similar plea against Arroyo.

They accused her of being responsible for the killing of journalists, human rights lawyers and leftist leaders.

They also accused her of graft and corruption based on reports that billions of public funds were used to promote her candidacy in the 2004 elections.

Guingona's son, Congressman Teofisto Guingona III, endorsed the second impeachment complaint.

Guingona represented a group called Citizens Congress for Truth and Accountability.

"I filed the complaint to prevent any technicality that might prevent the opposition from discussing the case against the president at the House of Representatives," he said.

House Speaker Jose de Venecia has 10 days to transmit the complaints. The third regular session at the House of Representatives will open on July 24.