Joker: Truth Commission useless unless Congress arms it
MANILA, Philippines - Senator Joker Arroyo said government officials accused of corruption will just play with Chief Justice Hilario Davide's Truth Commission in the courts if it's formed through an Executive Order from Malacañang.
"Anything the President does via Executive Order does not have [the] force of [the] law. It does not have subpoena power," Arroyo said.
The senator said that anyone summoned by the Truth Commission for questioning will just go to the courts and question its power to subpoena.
He said that the only thing the commission can do is investigate.
Arroyo added that the Truth Commission will be powerless just like the Presidential Commission on Good Government, which has to go through the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ), before actually filing a case against a corrupt official.
He said that even if the commission is headed by a person like Davide, it will be useless.
"No matter who heads it, if the body has no power it's useless. It will depend upon how strong [its] powers [are]," he said.
The senator advised President Aquino to bring the Truth Commission's formation in Congress.
"Best way to do it, form a commission that is enacted by Congress," he said.
Arroyo said Congress can arm the commission with its much needed power to investigate and prosecute government officials in the past administration who have been accused of corruption.
President Aquino said in his inaugural speech that the Truth Commission will work with the DOJ.
Its main objective is to bring closure to the controversies that hounded the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Among the issues that groups seek for closure is the Arroyo administration's botched $329-million national broadband deal with China's ZTE Corporation.
Former President Arroyo, who now sits in Congress as representative of Pampanga's 2nd District, and former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo have been cleared by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from allegations of their supposed involvement in the anomalous deal.
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How much was Joker worth
Grabe talaga nagagawa ng pero noh! How much kaya nabili si Joker Arroyo? Dating ma principio na human right lawyer, naging isang matandang walang kwenta na Senador. Wala naman siyang ginawa, kundi depensahan ang pinaka corrupt na presidente. Nakakahiya ka Joker!
Joker wasted his Life
I have very high respect for Joker Arroyo before. He is a brillant human rights lawyer. He is the defender of the oppressed and poor people. The Joker I used to know before is a totally different person. He has become and useless old dog, just barking and barking, without any direction. He talks without sense, like a senile person. He has lost his credibility and principles in life. Joker has truly wasted his life. He has always come to defend Gloria, who unfortunately, has the same surname with him. Gloria is considered to be the most corrupt president, and by defending her, he is as guilty. I hope Joker can still live with his consciense. I heard he has received a lot of money and favor from Gloria, that's why he became her defender. Shame on Joker!
The truth commission is to
The truth commission is to investigate and that is fine, so what kon di sila makapagpakulong? at least they can gather evidences na trusted ang gawain nila, walang whitewash, so we can use the evidences they gather, am sick of bobo people.....
sadyang napakabobo ang karamihan sa nakukulangan sa sona ng presidente, dahil iba ang hinahanap nila, kung papano sila makapangurakot, na di mapupuna, eh kaso lumiit yata ang tsansa para makapagnakaw ng marami,... kaya marami sa kanila ang nalulungkot dahil their purpose of running in office para magpayaman kahit sa kriminal na paraan
OUT Mercedita Guttierez
The way I look and think on Mercidita, she has no credibility, I hate to see people like these sitting in the P-Noys administration, They are not credible, even how good actor/actresses they are, they cannot hide their hidden agenda.... want them out Pleaaaaseeee
THE CORRUPT JOKER
Pls. Joker don't mess with PNoy anymore just mess with you wife na lang.
From
Engr. Lozada :)
The Joke is on Him
Why didn't Joker Arroyo say that the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission of Gloria Arroyo was useless unless Congress armed it. Or is this just selective criticism against P.Noy Aquino.
I remember that Joker was kicked out of Cory Aquino's cabinet. He was then the Executive Secretary. He must still bear a grudge against the Aquino's or he is just a loyal tuta de Gloria
What about an Independent Counsel?
I agree with both Arroyo and Roque. The Truth Commission is just a waste of taxpayers money. It will just serve a political purpose and that to is shame the last administration.
An independent counsel appointed by Delima would have serve the purpose. It has all the power to issue subpoena, file a case, etc. The same powers that prosecutors have.
The position and the appointment will need no statute or approval from congress since it is under the judiciary department. The judiciary under the constitution is a co-equal branch of government mandated to enforce the laws of the state. Therefore no congressional oversight nor approval is required.
and Why?
Why aramis, were the previous administration not that shameful???? Gloria's administration was devil, full od satanic act, manloloko, sinungaling, magnanakaw, and we will just be silent all of this ???? for what? para lalo silang dumami??? mga buaya na dapat pulbusin para wag nang pamarisan
creation of Truth Commission
We as true pinoys...should rally to support a congressional enactment to have a strong commission,called Truth Commission. I urge Senator Joker Arroyo and all the Senators and Congressman to 100% support to gain the real freedom from oppression of the past...to clean our country from all past bad transaction and start clean... to be able to gain our Beautiful Country of its People and Country.. as ONE....
It's your work
If that is the case Honorable Senator Arroyo, rally the support of your fellow senators and friends at the House to armed the Truth Commission.
You are a a truth and freedom fighter, isn't it?