Truth body gets down to business, gathers info on corruption scandals

By SOPHIA DEDACE, GMANews.TV

Published October 14, 2010 9:45am

The Supreme Court has yet to decide on the legality of its creation but the Truth Commission has started the ball rolling by gathering data on the corruption scandals during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In a statement on Thursday, the commission also urged the public to report supposedly anomalous deals and activities that happened during the Arroyo administration from January 2001 to June 2010. "It has asked various government agencies for reports on past anomalous transactions. Under its rules of procedure, any person may also file complaints before it. Such complaints may be formal, signed, or anonymous. Any verifiable information from reliable sources who have not filed any complaint may also be accepted," said the truth body. The commission, formed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, said it already has Rules of Procedure on conducting future proceedings. The truth body issued Resolution No. 022, which allows the public "to file complaints, submit information, and testify before the commission." The truth body is set to hold its first news briefing on Friday, October 15. Corruption scandals Among the corruption scandals that hounded the nine-year Arroyo administration were:

the allegedly overpriced $329-million ZTE-national broadband network deal, and

the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. chairs the five-member panel. The other members are retired SC associate justices Flerida Ruth Romera and Romeo Callejo Sr., and law professors Carlos Medina Jr. and Menardo Guevarra. They took their oaths of office on September 13. The truth body was created by virtue of President Aquino's Executive Order No. 1, whose legality is being assailed by Arroyo's allies like House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman. Judicial courtesy The Supreme Court recently held oral arguments on the petitions challenging Executive Order No. 1, but the high court has yet to issue a decision on the controversial order. SC spokesman and administrator has already asked the Office of the President and members of the commission to "observe judicial courtesy" while the SC has yet to decide on the legality of the truth body. GMANews.TV tried to ask Medina, one of the Truth Commission members, why the panel decided to push through with its activities even if the SC has already asked for judicial courtesy. Medina, however, said the truth body will answer questions at the news briefing on Friday. â€“VVP, GMANews.TV

Tags: truthcommission, gloriamacapagalarroyo, noynoyaquino