Several social justice and opposition groups filed impeachment charges on Oct. 13 against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of the Philippines.
Arroyo is being charged with corruption, vote-rigging, bribery and human rights violations. The 97-page complaint included well-known, documented evidence of torture, killings, intimidation, illegal arrests and the disappearance of thousands of Filipino activists, students and political media. The crimes have taken place throughout her six-year presidency.
This is the fourth impeachment bid filed against Arroyo in the last four years. Each time, the pro-Arroyo House of Representatives has dismissed impeachment charges due to technicalities. An overwhelming majority of Filipinos support the impeachment bid.
Arroyo is a staunch supporter of U.S. President Bush’s “war on terror” and has applauded the U.S. $700 billion bank bailout. Her presidency has faithfully served foreign interests and the Filipino elite.
