SC sets oral arguments for plea to junk EO on truth body

The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the petition seeking to nullify President Benigno Aquino III's Executive Order No. 1, which establishes the Truth Commission that will probe the scandals that hounded the Arroyo administration. On Tuesday, SC administrator and spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said the court scheduled the oral arguments for next Tuesday, August 31. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, House minority leader, and other members of the Lower House allied to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are asking the high court to void EO No. 1, arguing that only Congress can create the truth body. They also said the upcoming Truth Commission only duplicates the powers of the Department of Justice and Office of the Ombudsdman. Named respondent in the petition is the Office of the President, through Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa.—Sophie Dedace/JV, GMANews.TV