Probe of JDF to resume

The House of Representatives is set to resume committee hearings on the controversial Judiciary Development Fund (JDF) to determine budget allocations for the judiciary, a ranking House leader said yesterday.

Bataan Rep. Antonio Roman (Independent), vice chairman of the House appropriations committee, told the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel forum in Quezon City that he will push for the resumption of committee hearings on the JDF.

Roman heads the House oversight committee deliberating and defending the budget of the Supreme Court. He said a congressional investigation of the JDF will only be in aid of legislation insofar as the judiciary’s budget is concerned.

Roman also said that while the House has the power to appropriate funds, the Constitution provides that the budget of the judiciary cannot be reduced. He also said, "the Supreme Court has also fiscal autonomy in disbursing its funds."

He expressed doubts that pro-impeachment congressmen could revive the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

Roman also said that not all the congressmen who voted to appeal the Supreme Court ruling that the complaint was unconstitutional were signatories to the articles of impeachment against Davide.

Roman said he voted yes to the filing of a motion of reconsideration but he did not endorse the impeachment complaint.

"What I want to point out was that the impeachment was a sole domain of Congress. If there was a dismissal, it must come from the Senate as an impeachment court," he said.

However, Roman said the impeachment controversy is a thing of the past and Congress must now focus on the deliberations for the 2004 national budget.

"You may call the House decision a congressional restraint," he said. "I call that action humility."

NPC Regroups

Meanwhile, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is regrouping following the failure of its bid to impeach Davide and has named its new party whip at the House.

Following a meeting Thursday night in Quezon City, NPC members unanimously chose Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Maranon, who chairs the House committee on agriculture, as head of the NPC contingent in the House, replacing Tarlac Rep. Gilberto Teodoro.

NPC spokesman and Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero said Teodoro tendered his resignation as party whip months ago, but party members refused to accept it. Teodoro is the nephew of NPC founder and San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr.

Teodoro’s close relationship with Cojuangco created the wrong impression that his actions, particularly at the height of the impeachment crisis, were done with Cojuangco’s blessings, Escudero said.

"To finally clear this matter, the party had to accept (Teodoro’s) resignation," Escudero said.

Teodoro is a Bar topnotcher and holds a master of laws degree from Harvard University. He is considered Cojuangco’s political heir apparent.

Manila Rep. Harry Angping said it was a unanimous decision to elect Maranon, whom he described as "level-headed and cool under pressure."

"(Maranon) is a very good choice because of his experience and seniority," Angping said. "I’m sure that the NPC contingent (in the House) will move to greater heights under his stewardship."

Maranon, 68, is on his third term and is vice chairman of the House ecology committee and is a member of the committees on accounts, energy, health, higher and technical education, public works and highways and science and technology.

A civil engineer, Maranon is very active in religious activities as a member of the World Wide Marriage Encounter and president of the Philippine chapter of the Organization of Industrial and Spiritual Advancement.

Angping said the impeachment crisis has strengthened the NPC, adding that the party faces a bigger challenge in 2004.