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Palace: SC decision on Truth Commission sets back reform efforts


Malacañang said the Supreme Court's (SC) declaration that the Truth Commission was unconstitutional sets back the Aquino administration's effort to institute reforms. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang will file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days after receiving the decision, which Malacañang has yet to receive a copy of. The Truth Commission is the body that was tasked to investigate the alleged corruption and cheating scandals that hounded the nine-year Arroyo administration. The commission head was former SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. "Our position is that the EO 1, the Truth Commission, is constitutional and this is a genuine difference of opinion with the Supreme Court. Be that as it may, we will file our motion for reconsideration to convince the Supreme Court of the strength of our position," he said in a press briefing on Tuesday. Lacierda said the Palace believes the Supreme Court decision is "a setback" to its "efforts to reform" the government. The Palace spokesman, however, said the Aquino administration will not stop its efforts to hold government officials accountable, particularly those in the Arroyo administration. "This will not hamper our efforts, our continuing efforts to find the truth, to seek the truth and we will go to the bottom of this in one way or another. This is a campaign promise that we made and this is the campaign promise that we intend," he said. Lacierda said the administration is currently considering other "options" in seeking accountability, although he refused to disclose what these were. On the other hand, Executive Secretary Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr., who was in charge of crafting EO No. 1, said the SC decision will not deter the Aquino administration from "pursuing measures necessary to look into the allegations of corruption by the previous administration." "We will file a motion for reconsideration while exploring other options within the bounds of the law to investigate, try, and punish those who have used and abused their positions to enrich themselves in office," Ochoa said in a statement. Truth Commission: SC ruling 'very disappointing' Meanwhile, the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 on Tuesday said it was "very disappointed" about the SC decision. "Of course, we are very disappointed. We hope that when we read the full decision, we'll be able to find out exactly what made the court decide [that EO 1] is unconstitutional," said Carlos Medina, one of the five members of the commission, in a phone interview with GMANews.TV. Aside from Davide and Medina, an Ateneo law professor, the other members included retired Supreme Court justices Flerida Ruth Romero and Romeo Callejo Sr., and Ateneo law professor Menardo Guevarra. "All we can say is that it is very disappointing not only for the Truth Commission members, but for the entire Filipino people who would like to find out the truth concering large-scale cases of graft and corruption from 2001 to 2010," Medina added. Medina said he has already spoken with Davide, who will not issue an official statement yet while they have not yet received the court's ruling. "He (Davide) said it is difficult to fully comment and react to the decision without having read it," Medina added. Medina said the Truth body will wait for Malacanang's directive and motion for reconsideration that will ask the Supreme Court to reverse its decision. Arroyo mum on SC decision Meanwhile, the camp of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo refused to comment on the Supreme Court (SC) decision, declaring the Truth Commission as unconstitutional. Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo’s spokesperson and chief of staff, said they will not be issuing any statement on the matter. However, Arroyo's allies in the House of Representatives welcomed the SC decision. Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr., the former state leader’s brother in law, reiterated their position that the Truth Commission is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection of the law. Senator laments SC decision Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan laments the SC decision as it could "unwittingly create the public perception that the former president cannot be investigated and cannot be held liable for her actions." In a statement issued on Tuesday, Pangilinan said the SC decision on the Truth Commission "may further harm the image and reputation of the Supreme Court." Pangilinan hopes that the Supreme Court would reconsider its position and “allow the President to fulfill his campaign promises." “With all due respect, the Supreme Court should be a partner and not a stumbling block in the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption efforts," he said. Hontiveros: SC justices should resign Meanwhile, former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros said the 10 Supreme Court justices who voted to declare the Truth Commission unconstitutional should resign. “They should pack their things and leave their posts. What they did was not only indefensible and unforgivable; it is also an affront to the entire judiciary system and the people. Their brazenness is unparalleled. Since when did it become unconstitutional to tell the truth and seek justice? They must immediately resign," Hontiveros said. The former partylist lawmaker said the SC decision shields Arroyo and other officials of the previous administration from accountability and prosecution. Hontiveros said the people’s last court of resort has become Arroyo's "first line of defense." "As a result, the high court has totally lost its independence, credence and judiciousness," Hontiveros claimed. SC decision On Tuesday, the SC issued a decision declaring as unconstitutional President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's Executive Order (EO) No. 1, creating the Philippine Truth Commission. "In a vote of 10-5, the court voted to declare unconstitutional Executive Order No. 1 creating the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010," said acting SC public information chief Gleoresty Guerra. "The majority [ruled that EO 1] violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution inasmuch as it singles out investigation of graft and corrupt practices in the previous administration," she added. Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitution provides that: "No person... shall be denied the equal protection of the laws." – with Amita Legaspi, Sophie Dedace, VVP, GMANews.TV

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