Palace exec hits Arroyo ally opposing truth body

Malacañang on Saturday lashed out at an ally of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for his continued potshots at the Truth Commission, created to look into alleged abuses committed during Arroyo’s watch. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda reminded Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman of his promise to help the Truth Commission, shortly after President Benigno Aquino III assumed office. “When then Senator Aquino won the presidency, Lagman said they will cooperate and help the government. Why is he... against it now, filing cases and hurling accusations against it left and right)?" Lacierda said in Filipino on government-run dzRB radio. Members of the Truth Commission led by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. are set to start their work on Monday. During oral arguments before the Supreme Court, Lagman had likened the Truth Commission to “an outlaw" that must be shot on sight. Lagman’s camp asked the high court to strike down the executive order creating the agency for usurping the powers of Congress. “Sinasabi niyang walang kasalanan ang nakaraang administrasyon, ano ang ikatatakot nila (Arroyo's allies insisted the previous administration did nothing wrong. What are they afraid of with the Truth Commission)?" Lacierda said. Last August, allies of Mrs. Arroyo asked the Supreme Court to nullify President Aquino’s Executive Order No. 1 that created the Philippine Truth Commission, saying it was not only “unconstitutional and invalid" but also “an enterprise in partisan hostility." — LBG, GMANews.TV