Gordon inhibits self from ethics case hearing

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday said he would not participate in the hearing of the Senate Ethics Committee on the alleged impropriety that he may have committed for accepting chairmanship of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). "I will leave it (investigation) up to the committee. I will inhibit myself. Suffice it to say, I have been with the Red Cross for 40 years. But I will refrain from even attending the committee hearings on this specific complaint," said Gordon, who co-chairs the committee. The issue stemmed from the ethics complaint filed against him by former Quezon City Representative Dante Liban last February 2. In his complaint, Liban said Gordon should be expelled from the Senate for illegally holding dual positions as a senator and as chairman of the PNRC, which he claims to be both government agencies. Gordon said Liban’s allegation was an “old, rehashed issue” aimed at preventing him from continuing with his humanitarian work. He also said the complaint was “politically motivated.” "This is obviously a politically motivated and desperate move to discredit me. I shall remain undeterred by devious individuals who have nothing worthwhile to do but poison the people with grossly wrong information so that they can peddle their lies," Gordon said. In a statement, Gordon said in 2006, Liban was expelled as chairman of the PNRC-Quezon City Chapter in a unanimous vote upheld by the Court of Appeals and was charged for robbery and estafa for his alleged failure to account for P10 million of PNRC funds. The senator said that despite his decision to inhibit self from the Senate panel's deliberation, he would still take an active part on other complaints lodged before the committee. - GMANews.TV