6 signatures needed to impeach Philippine President Gloria Arroyo

Opposition lawmakers on Wednesday boycotted a committee hearing on the impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, saying they will focus on gathering the signatures needed to send the case to the Senate for trial.

Rep. Edmund Reyes, who represented the opposition, spoke at the resumption of the House justice committee hearing, saying the anti-Arroyo lawmakers needed six more signatures to reach the 79 needed.

"Just six more," Reyes said in an emotional appeal, scanning the pro-Arroyo lawmakers for any takers. There were none.

He then walked out, leaving blank endorsement forms. A number of activists, repeatedly yelling, "Impeach Gloria," were dragged out of Congress by security guards.

Pravda.ru reminds, that on Tuesday, opposition lawmakers walked out of the committee hearing to protest what they claimed were attempts by Arroyo allies to quash the case.

The constitution only allows one impeachment proceeding against the same official in a year.

Pro- and anti-impeachment groups who tried to enter the House of Representatives clashed Wednesday when militant Akbayan party members were stopped by Arroyo supporters from entering the building. Akbayan Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales said she has asked the police to intervene and secure their members who have been physically prevented from going in.