Monday, March 03, 2008 Angara chides Senate for never-ending probes By Carlo P. Mallo
FORMER senator Edgerdo Angara chided the Senate about its never-ending investigations into alleged corruption and anomalies in government.
"There is no end in sight to these investigations which they cloak in aid of legislation," the former senator said in an interview with Sun.Star Davao last Wednesday.
Angara was in the city Wednesday to accompany President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her rounds in the various government projects in the city.
Angara added that how the Senate is going on right now in its investigations is actually defeating the purpose of what an investigation in aid of legislation is supposed to be.
"At least, if not to amend laws, they should be able to endorse to the judiciary or the Department of Justice (DOJ) charges against those who are involved," Angara said.
Opposition Senator Loren Legarda was quick to come to the Senate's defense. In a separate interview on the same day, Legarda said apart from passing legislation, it is also the duty of the Senate to investigate matters to help them create effective laws.
"It is too early for us to endorse charges to the Department of Justice or to ratify laws, as the investigations have not yet been concluded," Legarda said.
"There are no committee reports yet," Legarda added.
Unlike her fellow opposition senators who were quick to call for the resignation of President Arroyo, Legarda has refused to do the same.
"It is still premature to call for the resignation of the President," Legarda said. "I don't want to join the political noise," Legarda quickly added.
