Senate may summon Mike A

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon wants First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo to explain before the Senate committee on defense and national security his side on the allegations of retired Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani that he brought P500 million in cash to Lanao prior to the 2004 elections.

Biazon, committee on national defense and security chairman, said Mr. Arroyo will probably be invited "at the proper time" as part of the "Hello, Garci" investigations.

"I don’t think he’s covered by EO 464," said Biazon, referring to President Arroyo’s order barring government officials from attending congressional inquiries without her clearance.

The Senate committee is going to set the hearing after Biazon returns from a trip in Morocco where he will attend the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, which is celebrating its biennial elections.

"Of course, the First Gentleman will be allowed to air his side," he said. "At anytime he walks into the hearing... he will be (summoned) ... when we resume the hearing."

Biazon said EO 464 is preventing the Senate from holding inquiries due to the non-attendance of government officials whose agencies are subject of legislative investigations.

"EO 464 is an obstacle," he said. "I hope that EO 464 is resolved for its constitutionality as early as possible. Whether it’s constitutional or unconstitutional."

Biazon said if EO 464 is constitutional, it would be necessary for the executive and legislative branches of government to take action for them to "coexist."

"... then we will have to establish a modus vivendi between the executive and the legislative," he said. — Christina Mendez