The ayes have it

THE last vote was cast at 3:20 pm. The final tally: Yes 158, No 51, Abstain 6. It’s official: The impeachment is dead.

The House of Representatives voted to adopt Justice Committee Report No. 1012 that has dismissed for lack of substance the Lozano impeachment complaint and thrown out two other complaints on the ground that only one case can be initiated against an impeachable official in a year. 

The last batch of votes, explained.

Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapuddin: I cast my vote in favor of my constituents and the people of the country. What is popular may not be right and what is right may not be popular. I seek your help to enact the modernization of the electoral process. Consider the urgent shift to a federal system of government. His vote: Yes

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente Salceda: I’ve looked at the facts: the president won, the result reflected the will of the people. The president remains the most viable option for the country to move forward. It is good for the country and the right thing to do. It is the collective wish of my constituents. His vote: Yes  

Malabon-Navotas Rep. Federico Sandoval II: My one vote is most sacred to me. The tape does not say let cheating be done. She supported our projects, she gave funds for the North Rail. My vote today comes with a clear conscience that the President did not cheat. His vote: Yes

Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete: My province gave an overwhelming vote to the President. Her vote: Yes

Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio: This is the vote of the 3rd district of Bulacan. The unity of this nation will not be achieved by impeaching the President. The yes vote may not put an end to the controversy but this is the vote of the majority. Her vote: Yes

Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson: One of my children had just left, my family sees no hope in this nation. The ordinary person is fed up, they want us to unite. Only one complaint can be initiated in a year. An amendment only amplifies the original complaint. It is obvious that the amended complaint contains charges foreign to the original complaint. His vote: Yes

Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis: The authority emanates from the people. The elected officials in my district support my vote. I have to accede to their general sentiment that we follow the Constitution in impeaching a president. She should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. His vote: Yes

Cebu Rep. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz: The Lozano complaint is insufficient in form. I also concur that another complaint is barred from being filed in the same year. This chamber has no recourse but to dismiss the impeachment complaint. In the 6^th district of Cebu, the call was for me not to sign the impeachment complaint. The filing of the impeachment was only an afterthought after a failed attempted grab. The Filipinos have had enough. Her vote: Yes

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez: We have now recovered economically after the damage wrought by the controversies since May. Honor and respect the result of the voting; let us move on. His vote: Yes

Antipolo Rep. Victor Sumulong: The opposition alleges that the committee railroaded the impeachment process. They first opted for people power and they ignored the Lozano complaint. They then opted to adopt the rules of the 11th Congress and not the 13th Congress, which would have allowed for the consolidation of the complaints. Then they "Dinky-dized" the Lozano complaint. His vote: Yes

Iloilo Rep. Rolex Suplico: Every citizen is bound to the law; no man in this country is so high as to be above the law. The president accused of cheating and lying is about to go scotfree. Why is the president above the law? The prejudicial question is a motion to dismiss in disguise. She admitted having spoken to an election official and she said, I am sorry. She offered positions, projects. How many millions did Malacañang spend? This House has decided that the President is above the law. She has betrayed the people of Iloilo. His vote: No

Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano: Different religions have spoken. Congressmen have deliberated. May we look back with pride and honor that the justice committee ruled judiciously. Her vote: Yes

Bulacan Rep. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado: A true leader will lead his constituents where they should be heading. What the nation needs is a leader, not a miracle worker. Let us all stop the mudslinging. Let us become the gentleman, the legislator, the defender of truth. The Constitution serves as our guide in this nation. His vote: Yes

Iloilo Rep. Judy Syjuco: I pray that the wounds that have divided the people will heal. Even the political structure has been questioned. The conclusion of this tale must be determined by the people. I visited my people in Iloilo; they want peace and reconciliation. Her vote: Yes

North Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Taliño-Santos: Our actions must not be dictated only by party lines. It must be governed by the Constitution; the rule of law must prevail. Only through this could we regain political stability. The Lozano complaint only bears suspicions and assumptions. It is insufficient in substance. Her vote: Yes

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III: Having an informed citizenry is one of the basic tenets of good governance in a thriving democracy. Why was the truth hidden? Lying, stealing, and cheating are the allegations that she wanted resolved in Congress. But it is clear that she did not want this resolved. The impeachment process should not be used to gain political leverage but to seek the truth. We shall be missing the opportunity in gaining the credibility of the Congress. There will be no closure. The people will remain in the dark. This report will never lead us to the truth. His vote: No

Negros Oriental Rep. Herminio Teves: We are a country in crisis. If the impeachment complaint is sent to the Senate, the next three months will be centered on this issue. We should solve the economic crisis instead. His vote: Yes

ALIF Rep. Acmad Tomawis: The Constitutional and legal issues have been discussed. We have to proceed, and stop putting our country in political uncertainty. In my consultation with my constituent, the indigenous communities in Mindanao and the Muslims, we believe the immediate dismissal of the complaint will do more good for the country. So we can respond to other more pressing concerns. His vote: Yes 

Pangasinan Rep. Generoso Tulagan: I am just an ordinary servant who swore to uphold the Constitution and to represent the impeachment. Last weekend when I held consultations with my constituents, there is only one answer: they are tired of too much politics and of people grabbing power. His vote: Yes

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr.: When the impeachment began I wanted to know the truth. His vote: No

Nueva Ecija Rep. Aurelio Umali: Ours is a country divided. There are still many issues. In the meantime, tomorrow let us all work. His vote: Yes

Camarines Norte Rep. Renato Unico Jr.: The people behind the complaint have personal interests and motives. I was one of those who wanted the tapes played. I wanted Samuel Ong here. But then this witness came out, Zuce, who said they operated in Daet, Camarines Sur. But in that capital town, GMA lost there, I lost there. Even if I lost I cannot allow them to say that the people there cheated. My decision is based on the Constitution. His vote: Yes

Isabela Rep. Edwin Uy: Issues: one–year ban rule; the complaint is insufficient in substance; the matter of cheating must be resolved by the PET; the wiretapped evidence is inadmissible in court. The rule of majority upholds the principle that the rule of majority must prevail. The majority adopted the 11th Congress rules, the majority agreed to play the Garci tapes. The minority has been given enough opportunity to air their arguments. The impeachment process was not killed. The minority failed to gather the one-third vote. His vote: Yes

APEC Rep. Edgar Valdez: An impeachment proceeding will seldom fail to agitate the whole citizenry and there is no option but to go back to the Constitution. Impeachment is never to be used for personal interests. Let us get down to work. His vote: Yes

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia: This has sown divisiveness among us. My decision is not by my blind loyalty to the President but by my loyalty to my constituents. We cannot allow the economy to stagnate. The economy will not recover in the next five years if the President is impeached. There is unemployment, poverty, homelessness. This raging wildfire will cause damage. It is time to end all this bickering. His vote: Yes

Buhay Rep. Rene Velarde: If by voting yes to the committee report we will achieve stability and peace, then my vote is yes.

Leyte Rep. Eduardo Veloso: We have already said so much. His vote: Yes

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte: Perhaps we could now move forward. We should address the needs of our constituents and the pending legislations. His vote: Yes

CIBAC Rep. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva: Who’s afraid of the truth? Technicalities should not be the basis in thwarting the truth. This is no longer a battle of numbers but a battle of principles. His vote: No

Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar: After going through deep contemplation, I believe this is what’s best for the country. The President will have her day in court. The opposition will be able to strengthen their case against the President. And the people will be able to discern the truth. Her vote: No.

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Ma. Amelita Villarosa: So that the divided nation will be reunited and move forward to a better tomorrow. Her vote: Yes

Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador: She said, respect the rule of law and go through impeachment. But there were talks of bribery and gift-giving. The amended impeachment complaint contains the clear basis for the impeachment. His vote: No

Kalinga Rep. Lawrence Wacnang: We have to bow to the rules of the majority. We are a republican state and we adhere to the rule of law and follow the rule of the majority. It is with these rules of law the committee found the Lozano complaint insufficient in substance. This is not the time to impeach the President; we should close ranks and rally behind the leadership. His vote: Yes

Compostela Valley Rep. Manuel Zamora: The people of Compostela love the President. His vote: Yes

San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora: There are still other wars to be fought and won. It is a pity that for whatever reason the president has decided to stonewall. Is she doing the country right? Is she doing her own self right? His vote: No

Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita: My daughter asked me, "How’s the country dad?" I didn’t know how to answer. Perhaps if we all started talking about the real problems of the country we will find solutions. I also told my daughter that the duly elected president will not be impeached in any way today. We must all work together as a team. His vote: Yes

Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri: I am inspired by the fact that during Mrs Aquino’s time, she was hounded by tumultous events. When will we unite behind our leader, regardless of political color, creed, or religion? When will such miracle happen? I fear it will not happen. Our system is failing us. From Day 1, we never gave our president a chance to govern. His vote: Yes