Senate to probe AFP on wiretapping of GMA

The Senate has activated its Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence and Confidential Funds to investigate allegations that the Armed Forces was involved in the wiretapping of President Arroyo’s telephone conversations.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said Resolution No. 15 was issued to reconstitute the committee in the exercise of its oversight functions on the use, disbursement and expenditure of intelligence funds given to government agencies.

The Select Committee was created in the 11th Congress and reconstituted in the 12th Congress, he added.

Drilon said Section 14, Rule X of the Senate rules provides that "whenever necessary, special committees shall be organized, the membership and jurisdiction of which shall be determined by the Senate president."

A sum of P1.264 billion was identified in this year’s national budget for intelligence and confidential programs of the government, he added.

Drilon said since these funds are not subject to the regular auditing requirements of the Commission on Audit, they could be misused and abused.

The reconstitution of the Select Committee aims to investigate in aid of legislation the efficiency of relevant institutions in preventing crimes and the apprehension of criminals, he added.

It would also assure that the appropriate departments and agencies provide information and timely intelligence on public order and national security, Drilon said.

The Select Committee was reconstituted following reports that the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) performed wiretapping operations on former Commission on Elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, starting from the period just before the elections last year. — Marvin Sy