Philippines

An escalating confrontation between President Gloria Arroyo and Congress threatens to derail the passage of much-needed legislation, including next year's US$18.85bn budget. The House of Representatives voted in September to throw out three impeachment motions but, since then, the opposition has launched a series of upper-house probes into alleged wrongdoing by the president and her family. After the Senate ordered that her national security advisor be detained for contempt, Arroyo banned officials from testifying before the hearings without her consent - a move which has led to an outcry by lawmakers. The confrontation confirms that Arroyo's troubles did not end

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