Philippine president Arroyo works to frustrate impeachment attempts News
Philippine president Arroyo works to frustrate impeachment attempts

[JURIST] Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo [official bio] used her majority in Congress Tuesday to frustrate opposition attempts to impeach [JURIST report] her. The opposition is attempting to consolidate three separate impeachment complaints to one strong case, while the majority has pushed to eliminate all but one weak charge. The complaints center on the rigging of last year's presidential election, when Arroyo succeed former president Joseph Estrada [Wikipedia profile]. The opposition may still force a trial by gathering the votes of one-third of the House, resulting in a trial in the Senate. Despite difficulties with impeachment [Philippine Star backgrounder], political observers believe Arroyo is still vulnerable because of low popularity ratings and possible economic chill resulting from increased oil prices and rising taxes. Reuters has more. The Philippine Daily Inquirer has local coverage.

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