Truth Commission to unearth evidence vs GMA, allies

MANILA, Philippines - The Truth Commission created by President Aquino would scrutinize the evidence against Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her alleged accomplices in connection with the graft charges filed against them to make sure that the case is strong.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told Palace reporters that part of the task of the independent commission headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. is to ensure that all the necessary evidence are there for the panel to consider.

“The Truth Commission will collect the suppressed evidence in the past and use them against the officials concerned, or those who have been cleared, so that cases will also be filed against them,” he said.

“Part of its task is to unearth evidence against previous officials that were suppressed in the past to bring closure to scandals like the ($329-million) ZTE broadband deal, the P728-million fertilizer scam, etc.,” Lacierda added.

He said the Davide Commission would not be utilized as a tool for witch-hunts.

“The President wants to make sure it will not be a witch-hunt. Evidence would be gathered and those responsible will have to face the law.”

The Aquino government also vowed to expedite the cases, should there be any indictments, making sure it will not suffer the same fate of the cases filed against former President Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies that have remained unresolved. 

“There is no such plan. That is precisely the mandate of the Davide Commission,” Lacierda said when he was asked whether cases would again outlive the six-year term of the President Aquino, just like the Marcoses.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government filed various charges against the Marcos family and and their cronies after the late strongman was ousted in February 1986, but until now most of these cases are still pending in several courts.

Lacierda said the memorandum order creating the Truth Commission is forthcoming, and details with regards to the parameters are expected to be set.

The Davide panel will be given the power to investigate, for purposes of providing “closure” to several anomalies in the past government, and file the necessary cases – if any – before the Office of the Ombudsman, which, in turn, may file these with the Sandiganbayan.

Davide, who served as the country’s ambassador to the United Nations during the time of Arroyo, will be provided with the necessary help if he needs prosecutors or investigators, once he convenes the Truth Commission.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima revealed that she intends to strengthen the current anti-smuggling and anti-tax evasion task forces of the Department of Justice in order to maximize the government resources in prosecuting smugglers and big-time tax evaders.

Lacierda also defended President Aquino’s appointment of Davide.

“The fact that President Aquino appointed him means that he believes in the integrity and impartiality of the former chief justice,” he said.

Aquino also ordered De Lima, former the Commission on Human Rights chief, to go after big-time smugglers and their cohorts, who have been the reason why government revenues remain very low.