REP. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque), House minority spokesman, yesterday ruled out a solid opposition vote when the new impeachment complaint against President Arroyo reaches the plenary.

"It’s not like in 2005 when we were solid and in 2006 when the supporters were reduced. Now, it’s a totally different ball game," Golez said.

Golez said he was voicing the sentiment of 30 minority congressmen that filing another complaint will only be a futile exercise as they do not have the numbers to get the needed 79 signatures to transmit the complaint to the Senate for trial.

The 97-page complaint, filed by businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III and civil society groups last Oct. 13, was referred by the committee on rules to the justice panel early this week.

The new impeachment complaint accuses Arroyo of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, human rights violations, and graft and corruption.

Although impeachment complaints against Arroyo from 2005 to 2007 passed the test of form, these were all thrown out for being insufficient in substance.

Golez said while they are ready to accept the complaint’s inevitable dismissal by Arroyo’s House allies, he said they would still ask the majority to give them time to ventilate the issues against her.

"We want to fight for the process. We definitely don’t want railroading. We want the issues to be ventilated, we want the complainants to be given their day in court," he said.

Party list Rep. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) said it is only fair that the complainants be given a chance to explain the complaint’s substance and merits.

Ocampo said former Speaker Jose de Venecia’s endorsement of the complaint will not be enough to rally support.

"This is a big test for him whether he’s going to fade away or this is his last fight, at least go out fighting. Iyun ang inaasahan naming gagawin niya. It’s time for JDV to redeem himself as a political leader sa isang decision na ito na labanan si GMA," he said.

Rep. Mauricio Domogan (Lakas, Baguio), vice chair of the committee on justice, said it will all boil down to the numbers that the opposition can muster.

The lawmakers who endorsed the complaint were Ocampo and Teodoro "Teddy" Casiño (Bayan Muna), Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis), Liza Maza (Gabriela) and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III.

Minority leader Ronaldo Zamora however said the minority will show its support to the complaint when in committee deliberations. "I don’t know why everybody is focusing on the number of those endorsing the complaint."