'Superbody' for journalists' killings unnecessary, Escudero says

It would be unnecessary for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to create a "superbody" that would investigate the killings of journalists in the country, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday said. In a text message to reporters, Escudero said that he does not agree with the creation of superbodies and ad hoc committees because it "short circuits the system." De Lima said that the superbody would serve as an "umbrella body" headed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). However, Escudero asked why there was a need to create such a body when the country already has several investigating bodies. "We have a new government with new people at the helm. Our existing institutions should be used and given the chance to work," he said. Earlier, the DOJ chief said that the body, whose members will be composed of some media practitioners, will oversee the functions of existing task forces. But the National Press Club said that de Lima must create a body “with more teeth and more muscle" if she really wants to put an end to the media killings. De Lima said that a draft executive order creating the superbody is already being reviewed by the justice department. She also said she would look into the proposal of the NPC to conduct a national summit on media killings soon. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV