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Saturday, October 01, 2005
Nograles says Arroyo order presumed legal
THE controversial Executive Order 464 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to all administration officials is presumed legal until the Supreme Court says otherwise.
This was the opinion made by First District Congressman and House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles after several congressmen said the EO has violated the principle on separation of powers by meddling on the affairs of Congress.
Nograles said it is within the prerogative of the President to issue such an order, which covers only those under the executive department including the police and the military and not those from Congress.
"Co-equal bodies must respect each other's prerogative. If they feel that the legal orders are questionable this matter can be elevated to the Supreme Court to enrich jurisprudence. But the presumption of legality of official acts remain in force," Nograles said.
At the same time Nograles also dismissed threats of some opposition congressmen that the House will block the budget proposal of Malacañang as a result of the President's gag order on all police and military officials with regards to the hearings in Congress.
"Opposition have always voted and stopped approval of budget in all congresses since time immemorial. But we have approved it anyway when voting on the measure is done on the floor," Nograles assured.
It was learned that the President convened the members of her Cabinet in an emergency meeting, a day after she issued a controversial executive order banning government officials from attending congressional inquiries without her consent.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye confirmed that the main agenda of the meeting was Executive Order 464.
The emergency meeting prompted the cancellation of Arroyo's spot check of how government offices were complying with the energy conservation program, which had been scheduled at 10 a.m.
In issuing the order, Arroyo invoked the principle of separation of powers, respect for the administration officials and the need to maintain confidentiality on matters of national security. The order also covers the police and the military. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (October 1, 2005 issue)
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