Lawmaker: Senators should not grill Cabinet officials citing executive privilege | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Lawmaker: Senators should not grill Cabinet officials citing executive privilege
Lawmaker: Senators should not grill Cabinet officials citing executive privilege
MANILA – House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Jude Acidre on Friday said the Senate should not question Cabinet officials invoking executive privilege in the upper chamber's probe on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
MANILA – House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Jude Acidre on Friday said the Senate should not question Cabinet officials invoking executive privilege in the upper chamber's probe on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, headed by Senator Imee Marcos, opened its second inquiry with empty chairs as officials of the executive branch skipped the hearing.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, headed by Senator Imee Marcos, opened its second inquiry with empty chairs as officials of the executive branch skipped the hearing.
Acidre was responding to Senator Ronald Dela Rosa's comment that the country is on the verge of a constitutional crisis because Cabinet officials cited executive privilege.
Acidre was responding to Senator Ronald Dela Rosa's comment that the country is on the verge of a constitutional crisis because Cabinet officials cited executive privilege.
"Sana ho hindi makalimot ang Senado na kahit sa House ho ginalang natin ang interparliamentary courtesy sa mga kasamahan sa Senado na nasasangkot sana, katulad ni Senador Bato, sa kadahilanan po noong panahon ng war on drugs, siya ang dating PNP chief. Maganda sana kung humarap din siya sa Quad Comm at sa mga pagdinig sa House of Representatives. Pero dahil sa kadahilanan sa interparliamentary courtesy, inter chamber courtesy, hindi ho natin in-insist ho yun. At ginalang natin ang kanyang posisyon bilang Senado," Acidre said.
"Sana ho hindi makalimot ang Senado na kahit sa House ho ginalang natin ang interparliamentary courtesy sa mga kasamahan sa Senado na nasasangkot sana, katulad ni Senador Bato, sa kadahilanan po noong panahon ng war on drugs, siya ang dating PNP chief. Maganda sana kung humarap din siya sa Quad Comm at sa mga pagdinig sa House of Representatives. Pero dahil sa kadahilanan sa interparliamentary courtesy, inter chamber courtesy, hindi ho natin in-insist ho yun. At ginalang natin ang kanyang posisyon bilang Senado," Acidre said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Mahirap naman ho sa pagkakataon ngayon ibabalewala o di kaya mamasamain ang pag-invoke ng executive privilege. O sa kaso ng House nung nirespeto namin yung interparliamentary courtesy," he added.
"Mahirap naman ho sa pagkakataon ngayon ibabalewala o di kaya mamasamain ang pag-invoke ng executive privilege. O sa kaso ng House nung nirespeto namin yung interparliamentary courtesy," he added.
Citing Dela Rosa's absence in the first hearing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Senator missed his chance to question the Cabinet officials present then.
Citing Dela Rosa's absence in the first hearing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Senator missed his chance to question the Cabinet officials present then.
Castro noted the Supreme Court had already ruled that the President and other officials can invoke executive privilege in withholding information during congressional hearings.
Castro noted the Supreme Court had already ruled that the President and other officials can invoke executive privilege in withholding information during congressional hearings.
Senate President Francis Escudero said executive privilege could be used to skip hearings.
Senate President Francis Escudero said executive privilege could be used to skip hearings.
But he said not attending the hearings was a wasted opportunity to explain.
But he said not attending the hearings was a wasted opportunity to explain.
Acidre likewise said this is not the first time executive privilege was invoked by officials of the executive branch for not attending a hearing.
Acidre likewise said this is not the first time executive privilege was invoked by officials of the executive branch for not attending a hearing.
"Nire-respeto po natin yan, hindi lang ngayong panahon ni Presidente Marcos, ngunit sa mga nauna na hong Presidente, kahit kay dating Pangulong Duterte, nagkaroon ho ng pagkakataon dati na pinigilan din niya ang kanyang mga gabinete, miyembro ng gabinete at mga opisyales ng ehekutibo na humarap sa Senado. Hindi ho bago yun," he said.
"Nire-respeto po natin yan, hindi lang ngayong panahon ni Presidente Marcos, ngunit sa mga nauna na hong Presidente, kahit kay dating Pangulong Duterte, nagkaroon ho ng pagkakataon dati na pinigilan din niya ang kanyang mga gabinete, miyembro ng gabinete at mga opisyales ng ehekutibo na humarap sa Senado. Hindi ho bago yun," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
