Cayetano proposes webcast for Mike Arroyo's testimony in the Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday proposed the use of webcasting for First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo should his doctors prevent him from attending the Senate hearing on the World Bank mess set on Thursday due to his health condition. In an interview with reporters, Cayetano said health or humanitarian reasons should not be used as a blanket excuse of personalities not to attend the congressional probe. "Napakaunfair naman na gawin ‘yung excuse. Unfair sa ating mga mamamayan. Ang nai-stress nyan ang mga Filipino (It is very unfair to the public for personalities to use that reason. It is stressful to the Filipino people)," Cayetano said. He said the US House of Representative used webcast in the impeachment proceedings against former US President Bill Clinton. "Kung nakakastress na ang pagpunta dito, pwede naman via webcast. At least live pa ang pagtatanong namin at may oras ang bawat senador na magtanong at makikita namin (If Mr. Arroyo finds going to the Senate stressful, we can use webcast. At least we can ask him questions and we can see his reaction while he answers)," Cayetano said. He said if the First Gentleman still finds seeing the faces of the senators stressful, he has the option not to look at the monitor. "The point is, the judges, the senators will have to examine the demeanor of the witness. And we should be allowed follow up questions. That cannot be done with a deposition," Cayetano said. The senator said Arroyo could be innocent of the allegations as he claimed "but we must have the chance to ask him questions and give him the opportunity to answer." "All I know is that the US did it when Clinton was being impeached by the House of Representatives. So if they can do it, what's stopping us from reviewing that option when in fact if favors the witness and it is less stressful," Cayetano said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV