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Thursday, September 22, 2005
Senate cites in contempt, detains security adviser
By Jonathan F. Fernandez
MANILA -- A Senate committee on Wednesday cited National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales for contempt and ordered him detained for rebelliously refusing to answer questions on a controversial contract.
Senator Joker Arroyo, chairman of the committee, said Gonzales would be in the Senate custody until he changes his mind and decides to reply to the lawmakers' queries, which are relevant and material to the ongoing investigation on the Venable LLP deal.
Under the terms of the contract, which Gonzales signed with Venable LLP, the firm would lobby with the US government for the release of various grants and aid packages to the Philippines, including assistance to the country's military and police.
The contract also covers the possible seeking of grants--whether through cash or expertise--for the government's initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution and to eradicate corruption.
All senators who attended the blue ribbon committee hearing unanimously agreed to cite Gonzales in contempt and detain him.
Gonzales's blood pressure shot up during Wednesday's hearing and he complained of dizziness after he was grilled and scolded by the senators for being evasive.
Senator Arroyo asked the Senate physician to monitor the health condition of the security adviser.
Gonzales is perhaps the first Cabinet official to be detained in the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. sought Gonzales's detention, a move supported by Senators Panfilo Lacson and Rodolfo Biazon, who both questioned if he was qualified for his post.
Lacson said Gonzales might not know his job as national security director because if he does, he would not sign the Venable LLP deal because it is not within his authority.
Gonzales, who finished a master's degree on national security administration, declined to answer the senator's questions on who gave him the authority to enter into the agreement and who paid the initial US$225,000 retainer's fee for the first three months of the one-year contract.
The senators also criticized Gonzales for not informing any member of the National Security Council (NSC) before he signed the agreement.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said under the law it is only the President, not a Cabinet secretary, who is authorized to enter into the agreement for the Philippine Government unless he or she delegates the authority to someone.
Gonzales said although he signed the contract on his own, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allowed him to get involved. He admitted that only he and the President knew about the contract.
He maintained that he did not find anything wrong with the deal as it is the government's usual practice to commission the services of a lobby firm. He also denied reports that the US Government may interfere with the country's internal affairs because of the contract.
Gonzales said the lobby firm would only have solicited funds from the US government that could be used for the "priority" programs of the Arroyo administration. He added that the government would not spend any amount based on the contract and it would be private donors who would pay for it.
But when asked by Senator Biazon who the private donors were, Gonzales said he would consult the President first before identifying them.
Biazon, chairman of the Senate defense committee, denounced the security adviser for not consulting him about the contract, as he is member of the NSC.
Gonzales also rebuffed the question raised by Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada as to who referred to him the Venable lobby firm. He only said he knows the two Venable agents, James T. Pitts and James George Jatras, and the signing of the contract was done in Manila last July 25 after the President delivered her State of the Nation Address (Sona).
He said he came up with an idea of entering into the deal after he learned of the alleged act by some opposition members who talked and asked assistance from some US officials to overthrow the Arroyo government. He identified Representatives Francis Escudero of Sorsgon and Rolex Suplico of Iloilo as those who asked help from the US officials.
Suplico denied the allegations, saying that Gonzales "was lying and just hallucinating".
Senator Richard Gordon said Gonzales should answer the questions because there was nothing in the Senate inquiry that would compromise the nation's security.
He said the secretary would also not incriminate himself if he tells committee members who gave him the authority to sign the contract, who paid for the contract, and who referred the lobby firm to him.
Various sectors have criticized the Venable LLP deal because "it allows the US's interference in the country's internal affairs in violation of a highly respected and well accepted principle of international relations."
Due to the controversy brought about by the agreement, President Arroyo ordered the termination of the contract last Sunday.
Gonzales said he was the one who recommended to the President the cancellation of the contract and he is ready to face the consequences. He said he was very disappointed over the turn of events as the cancellation means "a loss to the government and the controversy over it only shows how bad politicking has become in the country."
After he complained of dizziness, the Senate allowed Gonzales to undergo medical check-up and treatment at the Philippine Heart Center on the condition that he would be assisted by Senate security led by Colonel Jim Dimacali, chief of security operations.
Gonzales was accompanied by the Senate physician and security and was carried on an ambulance to the PHC, a government hospital.
Senator Arroyo stressed that Gonzales would be brought back to the Senate once he is issued a clean bill of health.
As to the length of his detention, Senator Arroyo said there is no time limitation. He said Gonzales could be detained for as long as Gonzales would not reply to their queries as honestly as he can.
"He will be detained for as long as one week and longer if he will not tell us the truth. But if he will tell us the details then we could send him out in matter of two hours," Arroyo said. (With a report from JPM/Sunnex)
(September 22, 2005 issue)
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