Arroyo allies to challenge truth body before SC
The minority bloc in the House of Representatives has decided to challenge the constitutionality of the Truth Commission, the panel created to investigate unresolved anomalies under the Arroyo administration, before the Supreme Court. “It’s not anymore a plan, it is now concrete that the minority is going to file the requisite petition before the Supreme Court," Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman told reporters Tuesday. He said they will file the petition, which they are currently preparing, within the week or, at the latest, early next week. The minority bloc came up with the decision during their caucus Monday afternoon, which was attended by former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “We resolved by unanimous consent that we are going to file this [petition]," Lagman said. Mrs Arroyo’s sons, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato" Arroyo, Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Mikey Arroyo, and brother-in-law Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. were also present during the caucus. Lagman said the Arroyos will not be among the petitioners. President Benigno Aquino III had earlier dared critics of the commission to challenge it before the Supreme Court. Unconstitutional On Tuesday, Lagman reiterated that the creation of the Truth Commission was unconstitutional as it violates the separation of powers. He said under the Constitution, only Congress can create an investigating body like the Truth Commission, which he said has “quasi-judicial functions." “It has been given authority to find whether there is probable cause and those should be the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice or of the constitutionally mandated body which is the Ombudsman. The truth commission duplicates the statutory functions of the DOJ and the constitutional jurisdiction of the Ombudsman," Lagman said. “There has to be legislative authorization for the creation of this Truth Commission," he added. He said there might also be a question on violation of equal protection clause. Lagman insisted that the Truth Commission is not needed to ferret out truth regarding supposed anomalies under the previous administration. “All we have to do is for the complainants or the administration to file the necessary cases against supposedly errant officials before existing agencies such as the Ombudsman and DOJ," he said. Malacañang had earlier said it doesn't trust Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who is closely associated with the Arroyo family. At least two impeachment complaints have already been lodged against her in the House of Representatives over her alleged inaction in anomalies involving Mrs. Arroyo. Lagman said their opposition to the commission is not to defend or shield officials but to give meaning to the rule of law. - KBK, GMANews.TV