Enrile to talk to Ermita on EO 464 implementation

Senators on Tuesday agreed to employ “diplomatic means" in clarifying Malacanang’s policy on allowing its officials to attend congressional inquiries. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he would try to seek an appointment with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to discuss Executive Order 464, which prohibits government officials from attending congressional inquiries without permission from Malacañang. “Pag-uusapan naming kung ano ba talaga position ng Palasyo sa bagay na ito. Bayan ang pinag-uusapan dito (We’ll discuss about the Palace’ position on this since it is the welfare of the country that is at stake here)," he told reporters. The senators held a caucus a day after top Defense and military officials snubbed the hearing of the committee on national defense and security regarding the recent clash in Basilan province wherein 23 soldiers were killed. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, in his letter to the committee, said they did not attend the hearing because they were not given permission by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In Malacañang, Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III on Tuesday said the invitation of the Senate for top Defense and military officials was “very short noticed." Bello said Malacañang would be reviewing EO 464, which was invoked by the concerned officials in failing to attend the hearing. EO 464 had been revoked March last year. Before Tuesday's caucus, the senators were thinking of bringing the matter to the Supreme Court. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he was the one who suggested employing diplomatic moves to resolve the matter. He said bringing the matter to the SC would only delay its resolution. “Palagay ko kausapin nila Senator Enrile ang Pangulo to look for a way na di na nila i-invoke ang EO 464 or similar order (I think Senator Enrile should talk with the President about this matter)," he said. - GMANews.TV