SC resets ‘truth’ oral arguments

The Supreme Court (SC) has postponed the oral arguments for the petition questioning the validity of Executive Order (EO) No. 1 scheduled for August 31, Court Administrator and SC Spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said on Friday.

EO 1 creates the “Truth Commission” that would investigate corruption scandals in the administration of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Marquez said the oral arguments were “reset to September 7, upon the request of the Office of the Solicitor General.”

He said that after the oral arguments, the SC will decide whether a status quo order should be issued to stop the convening of the Truth Commission to be headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

Earlier, Arroyo’s congressional allies led by House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman petitioned the High Court to declare EO 1 as unconstitutional.

Lagman, together with Reps. Rodolfo Albano Jr. of Isabela, Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao and Orlando Fua Jr. of Siquijor, called the Truth Commission an “exercise in futility” for duplicating the quasi-judicial powers of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.

The veteran lawmakers also said the Commission is an “enterprise in partisan hostility” for engaging in selective and discriminatory pursuit of “truth and justice” solely against officials and personnel of the previous administration.

Last Tuesday, Marquez said the SC already required Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to comment on the petition against the first presidential directive under the Aquino administration.