Aquino no longer wants a Truth Commission

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Wednesday said he no longer wants to form a Truth Commission because he is confident that newly-appointed Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales can do the job of the truth body. “It is not necessary it has to be the truth commission at the front (of our anti-corruption campaign)," Aquino said at a press briefing after attending the opening of National Science and Technology Week in Pasay City. “We now have confidence that the Ombudsman will be doing the function for which the office was set up," he added. Carpio-Morales will take her oath as the new Ombudsman before Aquino Wednesday afternoon in Malacañang. The President announced the appointment of the retired Supreme Court Associate Justice during his second State of the Nation Address Monday. Carpio-Morales, for her part, said Aquino did not give her any specific instructions except that she should always remain independent. Truth Commission unconstitutional The President said his administration can do nothing now that the Supreme Court ruled with finality that the Truth Commission is unconstitutional. Voting 9-2 on Tuesday, the SC denied with finality Malacañang's motion for reconsideration that sought the reversal of the court's December 7, 2010 decision that struck down EO 1. The establishment of a Truth Commission was one of Aquino's biggest campaign promises, and the decision of the SC — 14 out of 15 members of which are Arroyo appointees — to strike it down came as a blow to the administration when the SC handed down its decision last December. “Wala tayong magagawa e. The SC is the final arbiter of our laws and we are the implementor of the same, so we have to follow them but justice will still be served," Aquino said. He further said that the evidence, data and testimonies gathered when the Truth Commission was formed can still be used to file cases against erring officials. “Yung data, evidence, testimony na nakuha nung tinatayo ang Truth Commission is still there and can still be utilized. So kung form ang pinagkakataluhan, ako ay interesado sa substance. Paano natin mapapabilis magkamit ng katarungan," Aquino said. - VVP, GMA News