FILE PHOTO: (Left-Right) Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (UNTV News)
PASAY CITY, Philippines — Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Chairperson Senator Grace Poe was delighted at the go-signal of the Senate Committee on Rules to reopen the investigation on the Mamasapano incident.
Senator Poe said, the re-investigation will not affect the initial findings.
“Let it be stated as I manifested before, the new hearing will not affect or void our earlier findings. Our committee report has been signed by 21 members.”
“Lagi namang may puwang kung may bagong ebidensya, ” she added. (There’s always a space if there’s new evidence.)
Meanwhile, Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has expressed his support for the reopening of the probe.
However, he stated that this might have an effect on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is now still in the period of interpellation.
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was the one who proposed to revive the investigation on the Mamasapano incident which killed 44 members of PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF).
Sen. Bongbong said, “Makakaapekto siguro kung mayroon talagang bagong lalabas na bagong impormasyon.”
(It could really affect [BBL] if new information is found.)
Senator Marcos believes that despite the introduction of new information in the reopening of the Mamasapano probe, the plenary can still conduct its deliberation on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Malacañang on the other hand, respects the decision of the Senate to reopen the Mamasapano committee report.
Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr. of Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) said, “Kinikilala namin na bahagi sa mandato ng Senado ang pagsasagawa ng pagsisiyasat in aid of legislation at bilang bahagi ng oversight functions nito.”
(We acknowledge that part of the mandate of the Senate is to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation and as part of its oversight functions.)
Sec. Coloma further adds that branches of the government such as the Senate has the duty to perform what is beneficial to the people.
“Kilalanin lang natin na sa ating sistema ng gobyerno ay mayroong separation of powers at anuman ang opinyon o posisyon ng Ehekutibo, nariyan pa rin yung dalawa pang sangay na mayroon din namang laya at karapatang isagawa yung inaakala nilang nararapat.”
(We just need to acknowledge that in our system of government, there is separation of powers. Whatever the opinion or position of the executive branch, there are still two other branches [ of the government] that also have the freedom to carry out what they consider to be right.)
The first hearing is set on January 25. (BRYAN DE PAZ / UNTV News)
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