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Saturday, October 01, 2005
Arroyo stifling truth, says party-list solon
THE executive order issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would serve as an "executive cloak" to stifle all possible venues for establishing the truth concerning her legitimacy as President.
This was the statement made by Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador on Arroyo's issuance of Executive Order 464, which requires cabinet officers, police and military officials, and practically all personnel under the chief executive to get clearance from Malacañang before they can testify before Congressional hearings.
Virador said Arroyo was treading on "forbidden territory", noting that the power to legislate was exclusively designated by the Constitution to Congress.
"Once again, Arroyo has vitiated Congress' very existence as a supposed separate democratic institution. She is taking on the role of both legislator and executive, something unimagined since Martial law," Virador said in a press release.
Taken within the context of the current political crisis, Virador said, "The EO was unmistakably issued to preempt and quash any possible venue to determine the truth behind her highly questionable ascent to Malacañang".
Virador added that aside from humoring the whims of certain "arrogant" officials of her cabinet, the EO serves as deterrence against potential "whistleblowers".
The EO was issued after National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales was summoned to a Senate inquiry regarding a contract signed with US-lobby firm Venable
LLP.
The Senate cited Gonzales for contempt for refusing to answer the Senators questions.
"EO 464 shields unscrupulous public officials who are allergic to public scrutiny. It also prevents those who are privy to the misconducts of the Executive to testify freely," Virador said.
Virador further observed that the administration has become more brazen in its stance against all forms of dissent.
"First, the open suppression of public demonstrations. Now, the virtual invalidation of Congress' independent powers. What's next?" he asked.
Virador said it is hilarious to invoke "matters of national security" as reason for government officials to decline attending or answering questions during
Congressional investigations.
"Expect the 'Executive Privilege' to become today's mantra for unscrupulous government officials who wish to conceal the truth and evade culpability," he said. (PR)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (October 1, 2005 issue)
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