THE House opposition is preparing for a third impeachment complaint against President Arroyo in the incoming 14th Congress, sources said yesterday.A steering committee composed of opposition stalwarts is expected to be formally formed today. It would eventually evolve into an impeachment panel, the sources said.

The committee’s task is to recruit members to the opposition bloc, even those allied with the administration.

Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela said a seven-man steering committee has already been formed.

It is composed of Reps. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna, Cynthia Villar of the Nacionalista Party, Ronaldo Zamora of Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino, Darlene Antonino of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Joel Villanueva of Cibac, and Abigail Binay, daughter of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay who is president of the United Opposition.

The group will also decide who will be nominated as minority leader.

Maza said: "We hope to recruit into the opposition more members aside from the 32 (already identified opposition members). There are indications that some of our colleagues from the administration will join us not necessarily as opposition but on issue basis."

Impeachment proponents need the votes of one-third of the House membership.

The formation of the steering committee was first initiated by Mayor Binay who hosted the group’s first meeting last June 6.

GO spokesman Adel Tamano said Liberal Party president Franklin Drilon is helping the opposition on legal matters.

Source: Malaya by JP Lopez