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Wednesday, November 30, 2005
House to resume 'Hello Garci' inquiry next week
MANILA -- The five House committees investigating the "Hello Garci" tape controversy will resume hearing on December 7 with hopes that former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano would attend and answer their queries.
In Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said on Tuesday that Garcillano should make his statements in the proper venue to finally put an end to allegations that he conspired with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to rig the 2004 presidential elections in her favor.
Bunye, who is also presidential spokesman, said while Malacañang remains firm on its stand that Arroyo won the elections "fair and square," an official statement from Garcillano would satisfy everyone.
During an executive session, the heads and members of the five House committees agreed in principle to temporarily set aside the warrant of arrest issued against Garcillano provided that he would appear in the hearing.
House Speaker Jose de Venecia called for the executive session.
The House panels also decided to extend an invitation to former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director Samuel Ong, who could likewise provide important answers to the long-standing questions of congressmen on the "Hello Garci" controversy. The subpoenas will be coursed through Ong's lawyer, Homobono Adaza.
Adaza said his client, like Garcillano, would surface soon.
He said Ong went into hiding following threats to his life after he publicly announced that he has the so-called "mother of all tapes" containing alleged conversations between Garcillano and Arroyo on the rigging of last year's polls.
North Cotabato Representative Emmylou Talino-Santos, chairperson of the House public information committee, said they would extend an invitation to Garcillano to appear in their December 7 hearing.
Santos said the committees decided to issue an invitation, not a subpoena, against Garcillano to encourage him to appear during the hearing.
Makati City Representative Teodoro Locsin Jr., chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms, filed a resolution asking the Lower House to quash the arrest warrant issued against Garcillano since he had already signified his interest to face the congressional investigation.
The House was also expected to decide Tuesday whether to lift the arrest warrant against Garcillano.
Administration congressman Jose Solis of Sorsogon said the committees are also thinking of giving Garcillano a "safe conduct pass" to ensure he would not be arrested when he comes out in the open.
Arroyo's adviser for political affairs, Gabriel Claudio, said Malacañang is confident that Garcillano's reappearance would help clear the name of the President and her administration.
Claudio said they are just hopeful that Garcillano's statements would be thorough, comprehensive, truthful, and honest. (DBP/JMR/Sunnex)
(November 30, 2005 issue)
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