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The reported pussyfooting of the new witness in the Senate
blue-ribbon committee’s inquiry into the aborted $329-million
national broadband network (NBN) deal underlines the need for a
witness to execute a sworn statement before he could appear in
investigations in aid of legislation (are they, really?).
Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico of Iloilo said that
“Alias Alex,” the supposed new NBN witness, is already hesitant
to appear at the Senate inquiry in fear of his safety. The same
witness had already given interviews to a television station and a
daily so if he really has something meaty to say, then he should go
ahead. If he fears for his safety, then his full identification by
going public would be his best security precaution.
But I am digressing. To enhance the credibility
of their inquiries, Senate and House panels should require witnesses
to execute an affidavit first before the hearing. If the affidavit
will ascertain his presence when summoned. He can no longer deny
what he said in the document during the actual hearing because it
had been sworn to. It will not only give proper focus to his
testimony but also facilitate the hearings.
Sen. Dick Gordon has filed Senate Resolution 321
precisely calling for the execution of a sworn statement in
inquiries. Senators Edgardo Angara, Chiz Escudero and Rodolfo Biazon
supported the measure. I also remember that previous blue ribbon
chairmen Senators Nene Pimentel and Joker Arroyo used to require
witnesses to execute affidavits, and then decide based on those
affidavits whether these witnesses should be called or whether a
hearing should be conducted at all.
I agree with Dick that a deposition would
minimize lying by witnesses, prevent the Senate from going into a
wild goose chase, and shorten inquiries in aid of legislation. The
NBN inquiry, for instance, has dragged on with no definite
direction. Any person mentioned in the hearing is immediately
summoned to appear, giving the impression that the committee has
been groping in the dark, hoping to clutch at something eventually.
Inquiries are supposed to be in aid of
legislation. As they are conducted, they are anything but that. In
aid of publicity or political propaganda? That’s more like it!
ARMM automation
The Commission on Elections has awarded
contracts to two firms for the supply of voting machines for the
automated election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in
September. The award was given even without the adoption of a joint
resolution promised by Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Edgardo Angara
to exempt the bidding from the Procurement Act. Unlike an ordinary
resolution that merely expresses the sentiments of a chamber, a
joint resolution has the force and effect of a law once adopted by
both the House and the Senate.
Sen. Nene Pimentel has questioned the legality
of Comelec’s awarding of the automation contract even before the
adoption of a joint resolution. He said that he favors the exemption
of the ARMM automation from the Procurement Act but he insists that
it should be done legally. Sen. Dick Gordon, chairman of the joint
oversight committee on election automation, is not worried about the
legality of the award. He pointed out that there was a failure of
bidding on the automation of the ARMM election and under the law,
Comelec can go into negotiated bidding.
Comelec gave to Smartmatic-Sahi the contract to
install a direct recording electronic system in Maguindanao and to
Avanti International., that on optical mark reader technology for
Lanao del Sur, Shariff Kabunsuan, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Dick
has been pushing for the Botong Pinoy technology to be used in Sulu
and Tawi-Tawi, but I guess Comelec didn’t find it good enough.
Kudos to Jess Dureza
I am happy that the mild-mannered and
soft-spoken former Presidential Peace Adviser Jess Dureza has been
chosen to replace former newsman Ignacio Bunye as press secretary. I
first became acquainted with Jess during the 8th Congress when he
was proclaimed congressman of the first district of Davao City.
Jess, who placed in the Top Ten of the Bar, did not last long in the
8th Congress, however, because the House of Representatives
Electoral Tribunal voted in favor of the protest filed by Prospero
“Boy Nogie” Nograles, the current Speaker and also a Top 10
placer in the Bar.
A friend from Canada, Jojo Taduran, shares my
feelings on the appointment of Jess. He said that Jess is certain to
get the support of provincial newspapermen all over the country. He
pointed out that Jess started as a provincial newspaperman in Davao
City, was editor in chief of Mindanao Times and was provincial
correspondent of the Manila Bulletin.
Jess was also a columnist of The Manila Times
when Ermin Garcia Jr., now chief of staff of Sen. Pia Cayetano and
adviser of Sen. Ping Lacson, was its publisher.
efrendanao2003@yahoo.com
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