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Sunday, September 07, 2003
Jose Pidal senate probe to go on without Lacson
THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will resume its investigation Monday on the controversial Jose Pidal bank accounts, this time with the alleged owner of the accounts but ironically without the accuser.
Senate President Franklin Drilon has confirmed that Sen. Panfilo Lacson would not be seen in the next hearing because he would be out of the country until September 14.
Lacson, in a two-part privilege speech, revealed that the Jose Pidal accounts are owned by First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and were allegedly obtained from money laundering activities, secret government deals and campaign contributions.
Sen. Joker Arroyo said businessman Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, the youngest brother of Mr. Mike Arroyo and reportedly the richest of the Arroyo siblings, would face the hearing Monday to prove that he is the true owner of the bank accounts.
However, Jose Pidal and Lacson would not meet face to face because earlier reports said the latter is in Australia gathering evidence on his allegations.
According to Drilon, Lacson asked for an "authority to travel" from September 3 to 14.
He filed the request one day after the first hearing of the Blue Ribbon, where the First Gentleman vehemently denied the allegations and erstwhile Lacson star witness Eugenio "Udong" Mahusay recanted his previous statement.
"Sen. Lacson, who made the exposé, will not be at the hearing on Monday, if we base it on the authority of travel he requested. He asked that he'd be allowed to travel until September 14," Drilon said over a radio interview.
Lacson's absence during the hearing could mean no evidence would be presented pertaining to his allegation.
However, Drilon assured the public that with or without the bank records and evidence, the three committees will continue with the investigation, listening to the statement of other invited personalities like bank officials.
"Matutuloy yan, ngunit ang malungkot diyan ay wala pa rin yung hiningi kong original na tseke na ipinakita niya sa power point presentation sa session," Drilon added.
Some senators believe the burden of proof is in the hands of Sen. Lacson since he claims he has the evidence like the copies of the checks allegedly deposited to the Jose Pidal accounts.
"I want to see the original checks. Importante, makita ang mga original for two reasons, una, makikita sa likod nito kung saan nakadeposito ang pera and, second, yung handwriting analysis kailangan," Drilon said.
About 18 individuals were summoned to shed light on the controversial accounts, including Iggy Arroyo and Mahusay. Three committees are spearheading the hearing -Committee on Blue Ribbon, Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revisions of Codes and Laws, and Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies. (JPM)
(September 7, 2003 issue)
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