It seems that Gloria Arroyo’s term is cursed. Every year since 2005, she faced impeachment attempts, though all of them were squashed with much fanfare. She has proven time and again that impeachment is just a numbers game, despite the strength of evidence presented by complainants. (Yes, the impeachment process is just one of the institutional casualties that this regime will leave by 2010 – assuming that she will step down by then, ha.)

The degradation of trust on the impeachment process began, ironically, in 2001, when the Estrada impeachment trial was held hostage by the prosecutors (who walked out of the proceedings and then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr doing nothing to call them back). After the euphoria of EDSA 2/power grab (whatever you call it), the Filipino people have realized that taking shortcuts won’t work. And scheming politicians also learned a lesson, ironically from the so-called Craven 11: impeachment is just a numbers game. And these scheming politicians learned this lesson by heart, and now impeachment is just that – a game.

The impeachment game begins with an impeachment complaint (about a page or two, using newspaper clippings as evidence) being filed at the House, preferably by some quack lawyer, and endorsed (preferably immediately) by a congressman (preferably from the majority) who would issue platitudes for endorsing such complaint (like, “I just want to get the truth” etc). Then, the House Justice committee counts sheep deliberate on the form (if it came from a reliable operator, ie. quack) and substance (read: who will give more money). Depending on the grease deliberations, a committee report recommending the acceptance or rejection of the complaint is sent to the plenary. After a new round of camera/photo opp and more yakety-yak, (depending on the numbers) the report is either accepted or rejected.

Now, another impeachment complaint is filed and endorsed immediately. The cast of characters is changed: we now have a lawyer who formerly represented some Magdalo soldiers (mostly connected with the Army, if I am not mistaken) as complainant, and another congressman as endorser. The lawyer, by the way, also filed an ethics complaint against the current Speaker of the House. The congressman is a relative newbie. And this early, the administration is confident that this too shall pass. It also felt aggrieved by allegations that the new complaint was just an ‘impeach-me’ antic.

Anyway, as much as I want Arroyo impeached, the chances for such is much closer to nil than in 2005. With the impeachment reduced to a game, and with Arroyo having the numbers at the Lower House, pardon me if I am very much skeptical of the process. Now, if Arroyo pushes the wrong buttons, I might reconsider. Like, pulling the rug off the Speaker’s feet. Or, a strong clamor from all parts of the society (in your dreams).

Yes, the process is broken, and it needs to be fixed.

(Next: suggestions on fixing the problem. Hopefully.)