Infomercial hearing not selective

MANILA, Philippines - This refers to Mr. Alex Magno’s column last Aug. 13 entitled “Selective.”

Mr. Magno questioned the jurisdiction of the Senate economic affairs committee, chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, to conduct a public hearing on the alleged premature campaigning through infomercials of some cabinet officials. He also alleged that there was something “politically odd” because two other senators, who allegedly engage in premature campaigning, were not summoned to the hearing.

In response to the first issue, the hearing is aimed at tackling the economic effects of government infomercials. Electoral reforms, if tackled, are auxiliary issues.

On the second issue, Mr. Magno may have forgotten that the senator has a pending petition for injunction with the Supreme Court (G.R. No. 184044, Miriam Defensor Santiago v. Comelec, et. al.) to bar senators from engaging in premature campaigning by, among others, endorsing commercial products. To conduct a hearing involving these senators would be superfluous.

We hope this letter clarifies the issues raised by Mr. Magno. — Aika Thelmo, Public Affairs and Media Relations Officer, Office of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago