/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ August 3, 2001, The Philippine Star, ERAP: Palace Should Let Senate Conduct Own Probe on Mike Scandal, by Marichu Villanueva and Rey Arquiza,
August 3, 2001, The Philippine Star, ERAP: Palace Should Let Senate Conduct Own Probe on Mike Scandal, by Marichu Villanueva and Rey Arquiza,
from web site
August 3, 2001, The Philippine Star, ERAP: Palace Should Let Senate Conduct Own Probe on Mike Scandal, by Marichu Villanueva and Rey Arquiza,
Manila, Aug. 3, 2001 (STAR) Jailed former President Joseph Estrada said in a statement it would be better for Malacañang to allow the Senate to conduct its own investigation on the bribery scandal.
Estrada said in the statement that "a parallel inquiry of the Senate is necessary in order for the truth to come out."
He told reporters after his pre-trial hearing at the Sandiganbayan yesterday that he immediately called for a Senate inquiry when his wife, now Sen. Luisa Ejercito, and son former San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada were dragged into a controversy involving PCSO funds and projects.
An investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, then under Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. eventually cleared mother and son.
But Pimentel himself said the Senate would have to shelve a probe by the Senate Blue Ribbon after Rodrigo denied first-hand knowledge that Arroyo indeed received the P50-million bribe.
Tiglao, for his part, said Malacañang has no business telling the Senate what to do but reiterated the President’s appeal to the opposition to let the Ombudsman handle the investigation of the bribery
"We cannot tell the Senate what to do. It’s their (senators’) sole prerogative to pursue any investigation which they think is necessary," Tiglao said.
"Let's stop attempts at political grandstanding and for the Congress to start working on the legislative agenda," he said.
"It's just an appeal," Tiglao stressed. "The Senate is an independent body. It has its own decisions. An appeal is an appeal, it’s just a request - not to stop it but to cease from making this a political circus."
Would you like to comment?
Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.