Neophyte senators get lecture on dress code

Two young senators yesterday got lessons on how things are done in the Senate.

Sen. Joker Arroyo advised Sen. Francis Joseph Escudero to follow the dress code when attending Senate sessions, while Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV learned from Sen. Rodolfo Biazon that evidence and witnesses must be ready before he can file a resolution calling for an investigation of government officials.

Arroyo, who is particular about the observance of the dress code, chided Escudero for wearing a short- sleeved shirt with a design stitched in black during sessions.

Escudero said he is not very particular about wearing formal clothes even when he was a member of the House of Representatives.

On the other hand, Biazon criticized Trillanes for hastily filing a resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged involvement of top government officials in the July 10 ambush of Marines in Basilan.

“Since the resolution was referred to the Committee on National Defense, and I being the chairman, I had to examine whether we could already schedule the hearing on this resolution,” he said.

“But in my estimation we need Senator Trillanes to identify these officials, to identify probable witnesses, or to first submit to the committee certain other documentary evidence, like affidavits, that would support his allegation.”

Biazon said calling for an inquiry entails hard work and research.

“This should not be a fishing expedition,” he said.

Biazon said allegations as serious as the claims of Trillanes should be backed up by evidence and affidavits of possible witnesses.

“But I will still wait whether or not Senator Trillanes can submit at least a modicum of basis for the conduct of inquiry,” he said.

Rey Robles, the lawyer of Trillanes, said talks are underway between witnesses – some of them Marines – and Trillanes in case an investigation is conducted on the July 10 incident.

“The back up of the resolution is actually information from responsible public officials, including members of the Philippine Marines,” he said.

“I understand they can be summoned to testify, they are willing to disclose what they know. One thing I can assure you, Senator Trillanes would not file that resolution if he does not have the testimonies to support…it may not be in writing right now but he has the appropriate witnesses to back it up.”  – With Aurea Calica