Negros Occidental solons expect swift action on the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being deliberated on by the House Justice Committee.

Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (3rd District, Negros Occ.) said he believes the House Committee on Justice is working on the impeachment bid against the president as fast as possible, which ever way it goes.

He pointed out that the House has so much other work to do, including tackling the budget, "As far as we are concerned in Congress, the earlier we can get over (the impeachment bid) which ever way, the better," Lacson said.

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District, Negros Occ.) yesterday said he will have to wait for the outcome of House Justice Committee proceedings before coming up with a decision on the impeachment bid. Rep. Tranquilino Carmona (1st District, Negros Occ.) said he is against the impeachment move on the president because it will just set back progress of the country.

Carmona said he expects the impeachment bid to be resolved before the end of the month, and he does not think it will prosper.

Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (5th District, Negros Occ.) said that while the majority have the numbers, the Committee on Justice has to go through the process of ruling on the form and substance of the impeachment case against the president.

Whether they are allies of the president or not, the solons on the Committee on Justice have to do their mandated jobs, he said.

On the possibility that former Rep. Jose Apolinario Lozada will run for congressman of the fifth district again, Arroyo said that is his right.

Asked if he will seek reelection, Arroyo said he will, if his constituents feel he is doing a good job when election time comes.

Carmona, on the other hand, said he has the equity of the incumbent, when asked if former Rep. Julio Ledesma will also run for Congress in the first district in 2007.*CPG

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