On November 7, 2010 the Supreme Court of the Philippines handed over a decision that struck down denying legality of the Executive Order No. 1 of President Aquino III on creating a Truth Commission to investigate wrong doings of former President Arroyo and her administration during the 9 tumultuous years of her term, including the C5 controversy of which have allegedly benefited the company of Senator Many Villar, are among the key concerns. It is not surprising that even before the Executive Order No. 1 has been inked, it already faced strong opposition from the allies of then former president Arroyo who is now a congresswoman of her representative and who have gone self-demotion. The Executive Order No. 1 is the key centerpiece of the Aquino administration to bring back the confidence and trust of the people to the government.
Sadly, our elected official particularly Congressman Edcel Lagman the main proponent in blocking the Truth Commission and filled the case at the Supreme Court, was swayed by partisan politics and in doing so has succeeded. In one of his arguments he said that only the congress has the vested power to create offices. True and and there is no question about that, however, what is disturbing is the fact that Congressman Edcel Lagmay, if anything left in his good character and is sincere to help the country, should have instead talked to or communicated with the Aquino administration that this function may best serve if Congress will be given a hand or opportunity to initiate the Truth Commission task. Congressman Lagman could have help the country by sponsoring a bill to create a Truth Commission or similar to it rather than opposing them. The question is what does Congressman Edcel Lagman has to gain or loose with the Truth Commission? Nothing, because in the first place it will not affect his duties as representative of his district nor his constituencies and he is not the subject for investigation.
The public continues to blame the Supreme Court in the present structure that most of the justices led by Chief Justice Renato Corona are appointed by the former president Arroyo and that many are led to believe that the Aquino Administration will not get any favorable outcome on the present structure of the Supreme Court. If the Aquino administration cannot get what it hoped for they need to start to plan on their next course of action even without the Truth Commission. For instance, the PCGG and the Justice Department can work together and form a task force committee with the members of the Truth Commission headed by former chief justice Davide to oversee and look into the past administrations wrong doings.
For more info see this link abs-cbn Truth Commission and abs-cbn Truth Commission FactBox.
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