The Manila Times
SEN. Panfilo Lacson warned over the weekend that people who participated in what he described as a “bogus” Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing Thursday, including former military personnel who provided testimonies and lawmakers who took part in the proceedings, could face legal consequences. Lacson said participants may not be protected by parliamentary immunity because the event held on Thursday, June 4, was not an officially sanctioned Senate proceeding. “Yes, they can be charged, possibly for cyberlibel and other crimes since it was a bogus hearing and no parliamentary immunity may be invoked, not even the senators who participated,” Lacson said. The controversial gathering, organized by senators belonging to the chamber’s now-minority bloc and reportedly led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, was conducted at the Senate session hall despite questions surrounding its authority and legitimacy. During the event, 18 former soldiers presented testimonies alleging that suitcases filled with cash had been delivered to various personalities as kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects. The hearing took place ahead of the Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry on the flood control controversy scheduled by new committee chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo for June 8. Lacson said the former soldiers who made accusations during the unofficial proceeding could face cyberlibel complaints and other legal actions from individuals adversely affected by their statements. He also noted that public officials who participated in the event may be exposed to criminal liability for usurpation of authority or official functions. Under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, any person who knowingly performs official acts without lawful authority may be penalized with prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods (sentence ranging from six months and one day to six years). Lacson said those who believe they were defamed or otherwise harmed by the allegations aired during the proceeding appear to have a strong legal basis for filing complaints. However, he said the matter could ultimately hinge on the validity of the Senate leadership reorganization that took place on June 3. The leadership change occurred after Sen. Francis Escudero joined 11 senators then identified with the minority bloc during a session. The group invoked the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco to assert the existence of a quorum, declare Senate positions vacant, and elect new officers. “Unless the Supreme Court overturns the Avelino vs. Cuenco ruling and invalidates the action taken by the 12 senators last Wednesday, those who were offended in yesterday’s event have a good case,” Lacson said. Cayetano defends hearing Cayetano defended the June 4 proceeding, insisting that it was a valid Senate hearing and not the “bogus” session described by the chamber’s new majority bloc. Cayetano argued that the controversy stems from an ongoing dispute over the legality of the Senate leadership reorganization on June 3. He maintained that the move by rival senators to declare Senate positions vacant and elect new officers was invalid, describing it as an “illegal coup d’état” within the Senate. The dispute reflects the ongoing political and legal fallout from the Senate’s recent leadership shakeup, with questions lingering about the authority of rival factions and the validity of actions taken after the reorganization. As of Friday, no criminal complaints had been filed against the participants in the disputed hearing. Bishops defend Fr. Flavie Caloocan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David defended Ramon Magsaysay awardee Fr. Flavie Villanueva, after a former marine in the June 4 hearing accused him of receiving money from former congressman Zaldy Co. On a Facebook post Saturday, David said such allegations should be backed up with facts, noting that a person’s name should not be tainted by “unsubstantiated accusations.” “I find it difficult to believe that a man whose life and work have earned the respect of so many, including the recognition bestowed upon him by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation after its own rigorous vetting process, would suddenly be reduced to the caricature painted by reckless allegations,” David said. “I have known Fr. Flavie for many years and have witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to the human dignity of the poorest of the poor, especially the families of victims of violence and those who often have no one else to accompany them in their suffering,” David added. The statement comes after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 4 — led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and his bloc — where former marine Joely Cadiao claimed that he delivered the envelope to Villanueva near a church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City. The Bishop of Cubao, however, noted that no Society of the Divine Word (SVD) church exists in the area. “Within the Diocese of Cubao, the SVDs are present only in the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine in Kamuning, the Sto. Niño de Violago Quasi-Parish and the Divine Word Shrine along E. Rodriguez Avenue,” said Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. The former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president said he prays that truth, fairness and due process will prevail. “I stand with Fr. Flavie. I pray that truth, fairness and due process will prevail, and that those who have dedicated their lives to serving the poor and defending human dignity will not be silenced or discredited by unfounded accusations,” he concluded.
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