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Presidential Spokesman Lacierda again got it wrong when he labeled as "character assassination" House Minority's Resolution No. 1419

Press Statements
  • Office of the Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman
  • 17 June 2011
  • 09166406737 / 09189120137

 

 

           Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda again got it all wrong when he labeled as “character assassination” the House Minority’s Resolution No. 1419 urging for an investigation of errant buddies and cronies of President Aquino.

 

           The conduct of congressional inquiries in aid of legislation is among the constitutional duties of the legislature and has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

 

           These “sacred cows” in the President’s arsenal of shooting mates, schoolmates friendmates had already committed “character suicide” by their culpable misdeeds and misadventures.

 

           It is Malacañang which is performing “character resuscitation” on these wayward officials by coddling and insulating them from sanctions.

 

           Did the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) headed by Justice Secretary De Lima commit character assassination against Undersecretary Ricardo Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in recommending the filing of administrative and criminal charges against him for mishandling the fatal rescue operations during the hostage crisis in August last year?

 

            Did the fact-finding and investigation panel of the Department of Justice commit character assassination against Assistant Secretary and Land Transportation Office Chief Virginia Torres when it recommended the institution of charges against her due to her complicity and partiality in the failed Stradcom takeover?

 

            What character assassination is committed against former Director Ernesto Diokno of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) who resigned in the wake of scandals rocking BuCor and yet was promised another job by the President?

 

             If the prosecution of political foes for alleged tax evasion is deemed proper, why should the investigation of Secretary Purisima of the Department of Finance for reported tax irregularities and conflict of interest be considered character assassination?

 

            The self-serving explanations of these presidential buddies to their patron are insufficient to liberate them from liability and discipline.