Enrile: Senate can subpoena execs who snub hearings

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday warned that the Senate might use its coercive powers against executive officials who refuse to attend congressional inquiries. Enrile aired the warning after government and military officials failed anew to attend a hearing conducted by the Senate committee on national defense and security chaired by Senator Rodolfo Biazon. "Only the heads of the departments are covered by the executive privilege. Now the sub-Cabinet level officials, we will subpoena them," Enrile told reporters after attending the Senate inquiry on the status of the government arsenal and the review of the Armed Forces Modernization Program. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado, Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena and Navy Flag Office-in-Command Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez were invited to the hearing but failed to attend. In the excuse letter to the committee signed by Teodoro, he reiterated that they are required to seek approval from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo prior to attending any legislative hearings. "As of this time, no such permission has been given to the invited officials," said the defense chief, a former congressman. Teodoro likewise requested for a detailed statement of questions to be asked and the matters to be discussed. "This will assist us greatly in obtaining the guidance and permission of the President in regard to our attendance at said hearing." Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya was also invited in the hearing but he declined, saying he was busy preparing the proposed 2010 national budget which is set to be submitted to the House of Representatives before the end of the month. Nonetheless, Andaya also asked for the list of questions to be asked. EO 464 Enrile then reiterated that he will discuss the implementation of Executive Order 464 with the Executive department. On Tuesday, Enrile told reporters that the matter should be cleared with Malacañang since at stake was the country's welfare. [See: Enrile to talk to Ermita on EO 464 implementation] In a separate press conference, Biazon said he will give the military officials, who are considered as sub-Cabinet level officials, another chance. "Probably the committee will reconsider this, I probably would send them again another invitation… so we will not be pushed to have confrontational situation," said Biazon, a former military chief. During the hearing, Biazon scored Teodoro and the military officials as it was not the first time they snubbed a hearing set by his committee. "It is clear that this hearing is in aid of legislation, they have no excuse unless they are afraid that we may discover something anomalous," he said. "Hindi ba sila pursigido na mabigyan ng sapat na armas at lakas ang Sandatahang Lakas para maipaglaban ang bansa. Do they want our soldiers to die unnecessarily," he added. - GMANews.TV