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Aug 13, 2010
MANILA- Senator Franklin Drilon on Friday questioned the move of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s allies to challenge the constitutionality of the Philippine Truth Commission. Drilon said those assailing the investigating body were in fact supportive of the commissions created during the Arroyo administration using the same instrument of executive orders (EO) or administrative orders (AO) or issuances.
“Why only now? They were silent when Arroyo created several commissions on the basis of EOs and AOs,” Drilon said, adding that if the commissions were valid during her term, the Truth Commission must also be valid today.
House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, opposition Representatives Rodolfo Albano Jr. (Isabela), Simeon Datumanong (Maguindanao) and Orlando Fua Jr. (Siquijor), challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order (EO) No. 1 creating the body tasked to probe the supposed abuses of Arroyo and her officials during her nine-year rule.
Arroyo’s allies argued, among others, that EO 1 violates the separation of powers as it arrogates the legislative authority of Congress to create a public office and appropriate funds for its operation. Drilon, however, echoed the statement of Malacañang that it has sufficient legal basis and that it did not violate the 1987 Constitution. “The source of authority for the creation of the Truth Commission is the same as that used by Arroyo in creating the Feliciano Commission, Melo Commission and Presidential Anti-Graft Commission,” said Drilon, a former Justice secretary. He said that there must be a closure on all the alleged wrongdoings committed by the Arroyo administration such as the botched NBNZTE deal, fertilizer fund scam and “Hello, Garci” scandal, among others.