Amid protest: Davide takes oath as head of Truth Commission today

CEBU, Philippines – Amidst legal questions surrounding the creation of the Truth Commission, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. will take his oath today as chairman of the investi-gating body, palace spokesman Erwin Lacierda confirmed to The FREEMAN yesterday.

Davide's son, former Cebu City Councilor Hilario III, also confirmed the information.

"Yes, he will take his oath. I was told that the oath taking will be held in Malacañang at 1:30 pm," the young Davide said.

Through his Executive Order No. 2, President Benigno Aquino III created the Truth Commission specifically to look into the alleged anomalies during the term of his predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Among the cases the commission will look into are the botched US$329-million NBN-ZTE telecommunications deal, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, and the "Hello, Garci" election controversy.

The creation, however, was questioned and even reached the Supreme Court. It remains to be resolved justices who were appointees of Arroyo herself.

Davide himself openly campaigned for Aquino in the recent May polls and for Hilario III who ran for governor in Cebu under the Liberal Party.

Hilario III expressed confidence the commission will perform its mandate under his father's leadership.

"The fact that the President chose him to head the Truth Commission means the President trusts him. I am confident as well that the commission under my father will perform its mandate. Let's pray that it will succeed," Hilario III said.

Former Senator Ernesto Maceda, campaign spokesman of former President Joseph Estrada, said earlier Davide is in a "no win" situation.

Maceda contended that Davide will be pilloried if he absolves Arroyo, but would also appear ungrateful if he will charge her. It was Arroyo who appointed Davide as the Philippines' permanent ambassador to the United Nations after Davide stepped down as chief justice.

"He should not have accepted the post," Maceda told The FREEMAN.

Estrada himself questioned Davide's integrity and credibility. It was also Davide who presided the impeachment proceedings against Estrada that fueled People Power II, which dramatically ousted the controversial president from power in 2003.

Senator Loren Legarda, one of those who participated in the impeachment proceedings against Estrada, also said earlier she does not see the need for the creation of a Truth Commission. She said the Department of Justice can very well carry out the mandate of the commission and, more so, has the legal personality to prosecute.

Aside from Legarda, the senator-son of two former Philippine Presidents, Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, also opposed Davide's appointment.

Still, Aquino was firm in saying he will not replace Davide. (FREEMAN)