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What do you think?
Yesterday, some news papers here in the Philippines talked about the suggestion of Sen Joker Arroyo to revised
the senate rules regarding with their hearings to various sensitive matters like the recent corruption scandal
within the armed forces.
Sen Arroyo stressed out the need to amend the rules of the senate's blue ribbon committee in relations to it's
investigation to to it's resource person to cross-examine anyone testifying against him.
The suggestion resulted from the heated arguments of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Antonio Trillanes IV on one
of their hearings when the former armed forces head, Ret. Gen. Anegelo Reyes was grilled in that hearing and
unfortunately the latter was prevented to ask the witness former armed forces budget officer Ret. Lt. Col.
Goerge Rabusa.
Sen. Arroyo noted that such amendments is needed as the current rules is the same as the one under the 1935
constitution. He cited that the 1986 constitution provides the rights of any persons appearing on any hearing
shall be respected. He also added that when a member of the congress (or senate) crossed the line, He or She
is not liable for libel so the witness or the accused can not complain.
Amending these rules, is it really a better way or not?
Yes. Definitely it is. As we all know that the Philippines is somewhat a model of democracy in Asia
( or maybe in the world). Other nations applauded the so called EDSA People Power (Bloodless coup) in 1986.
In fact we have a trilogy of it. Democracy, that is one thing the we Filipinos can brag about.
Democracy goes hand in hand with Human Rights. And Human Rights is parallel with respect. How can you protect
Human Rights if you don't have for the dignity of other people. Makes sense isn't it?
Yes, the senate have the right to investigate. It is their mandate to do. But the persons being affected by those
inquiries have also their rights to protect. The senate who is the law makers should be the first one to protect
those rights. But let's face the truth. They are the ones who commits a wide variety of Human rights violations.
The honorable Sen. Arroyo is correct. This is now the time to amend those rules. It is also now the right time to
stop all these grandstanding. The senate should do their jobs and it does not includes grandstanding. Change the
rules and be the first to upheld respect to anyone.
We are a democratic nation and we should respect any persons rights.
Definitely amending the senate probe rules is a much better for us to show our democracy.
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