Drilon defends Blue Ribbon committee’s probe of Makati building

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday defended the Blue Ribbon committee’s move to conduct hearings on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall building after the camp of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay expressed plans to bring the case before the Supreme Court.

“As defined in the rules, on the basis of the resolution filed, there can be hearings in aid of legislation. This is an investigation in aid of legislation,” Drilon said.

Drilon said he respects the decision of Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son to elevate the case before the SC.

He said it is their privilege as citizens to bring the issue before the high tribunal.

“But let me reiterate that the questions are in aid of legislation, not for anything else. That is consistent with the decision of the SC,” he said.

Drilon also expressed belief the SC will be respecting the separation of powers among the three branches of government and the high court will be careful in meddling with the functions of the legislative branch.

He said several cases have been brought to the SC where the high court always sustained the right of Congress to conduct hearings in aid of legislation.

“I don’t recall any instance that the SC stops an inquiry. I think there was one case where the inquiry… the resolution prompting the inquiry did not assert that it was in aid of legislation,” Drilon said, referring to the Senate inquiry into the NBN-ZTE deal.

“Since that hearing, all inquiries are done in aid of legislation. That is within the prerogative and the power of legislature,” he said.

Pressed further on the issue of separation of powers between the Supreme Court and the legislature, Drilon strongly expressed that the SC should not stand against the Senate in its powers to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation.

“I am just stating a principle. The separation of powers would call for the Senate to continue its investigation in aid of legislation,” he explained.

Power of judicial review

Legal experts, however, said the SC could intervene in the Senate inquiry.

“The Constitution gives the Supreme Court the power of judicial review of actions of the two other branches, especially if there is grave abuse of discretion,” University of the East law dean Amado Valdez said.– With Edu Punay