Of leaks and secrets

E·N·Q·U·I·R·Y
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL

Of leaks and secrets
Sunday, 12 08, 2002

The Senate investigations into the Piatco deal were conducted jointly by three committees. Section 29 of the Senate Rules requires these committees to hold sessions, to discuss, decide and submit their joint report. But one committee chairman made a joke out of the rules, proceeded to prepare a report without consulting the two others, claimed it as the report of the three committees, and leaked it to media. A clear violation, and an obvious ploy to support an earlier declaration by Malacañang that the Piatco contract is ab initio null and void, thereby pre-empting the Supreme Court where the same issues are to be resolved.

The Senate is a collegial body, and so are its committees. Not one member, even if he is the committee chairman, can claim to speak for the others. We will have to agree with the observation that the leak of the report is a breach of parliamentary behavior, decorum and courtesy, and what Senator Angara describes as a violation of the confidentiality rule.

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Bulacan Congressman Villarama once courted being censured when he rose on a privilege speech, but tarried in identifying the “Two-Million Dollar Man.” When he subsequently stood up to identify Justice Secretary Perez, he finally discharged his duty to identify, to take him out of the predicament that then Congressman Sergio Osmeña II courted some 40 years ago, resulting in the latter’s suspension. Unfortunately for Villarama, Perez, himself once upon a time a congressman, has forgotten about “parliamentary immunity,” and now finds his turf in the Cabinet the very same tool to get back at Villarama.

Justice Secretary Perez, when asked why he is not pushing the opening of the controversial Coutts Bank Account in Hong Kong, was quoted as saying: “Ako pa ang maghahanap ng ebidensiya laban sa akin? Ano sila, sinusuwerte?” Why, indeed, if one were innocent, would he refuse to reveal details? What is in the bank account that would be used as evidence against Perez, and make Congressman Jimenez and Villarama lucky to have such evidence to support their revelations? Plenty!

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Another leak that makes one no longer wonder where Malacañang is getting its advance information on every matter both under judicial and legislative scrutiny is the Meralco takeover. The MoU that was reported to have been presented to the Lopezes three days before the decision of the SC came out, already mentions the amount that was supposed to be refunded. The Palace wordsmiths had better be more extra careful; otherwise, their ever-carefully worded documents (for takeover) will always betray their strong connections. No matter how secretive you are, there will always be a slip that will show your bad intentions.

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Senate Resolution 494 of Senator Angara, Flavier and Jaworksi, and many more senators as co-authors by tomorrow, proclaims the now not-so-secret sentiments of many of our legislators on the matter of the house arrest for President Joseph Estrada. They now join the multitude clamoring for house arrest, as a first step toward national reconciliation at a time of worsening economic and political conditions in the country.

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The timing of the issuance, and the substance, of the directive to Immigration Commissioner Domingo prohibiting her from disclosing data on the travels undertaken by cabinet members supposedly as a deterrent against terrorism is not only laughable and a clumsy stroke to keep the truth from the public. It has connections clearly with the request of Congressman Villarama for information on the uncanny coincidence of Justice Secretary Perez and his friend Ernest Escaler reportedly being in Hong Kong on the same date, and in going to and from Hong Kong aboard the same flight. How about Villarama’s, and your constitutionally-guaranteed right to information?

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The appointment of a special envoy to the OFWs reveals a secret that Malacañang can no longer cover up: Its ecstatic joy over the imminent passage of the Absentee Voting Law, to get a lock on 7.2 million votes from overseas. Expect Congress then, through its bicameral conference panels, to craft an antidote to this big advantage that Malacañang will have for May 2004. How about disqualifying the special envoy from making personal visits to the OFWs, or altogether banning “personal” campaigning abroad?

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This is no longer a secret, and the Senate media and records can confirm this: Angara works the hardest and produces the most at the Senate. Angara has logged the most number of hours on the Senate floor in sponsorships, interpellations and speeches, conducted and attended the most number of committee hearings, submitted the most number of committee reports, and has the most number of bills reported out and passed into law.


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