IN the wake of the third hearing on the alleged “PDEA leaks” in the Senate, leaders of the House of Representatives on Tuesday intensified their call to halt the ongoing investigation, arguing that it has squandered taxpayer funds and wasted the time and effort of both the Senate and the public.
During a press conference, House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin stressed the need to consider the direction and benefits of the investigation into purported leaked PDEA documents allegedly linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to illegal drugs, given its use of public funds.
“Senate hearings, congressional hearings are actually paid by taxpayers’ money. Kaya kapag may mga imbestigasyon ang importante ditong masagot ay saan ba ito patutungo? Ano ba ang magiging benepisyo ng taong bayan? Ano ba ‘yung mga batas na kailangang gawin o mga batas na kailangang baguhin para matugunan at hindi maulit ‘yung mga problemang nakikita?” Garin pointed out.
She continued, “Apparently in the Senate investigation on PDEA leaks, what we are seeing is a confused narrative. Kasi nga nagtuturuan na ‘ay hindi nagsisinungaling ‘yan.’ ‘Ay, hindi palaging story-telling liar.’ May mga ganung accusations.”
Garin urged the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, to step back and meticulously assess the evidence at hand.
“Now, where will this bring us? I believe the best thing that can be done as a legislator is for the committee to go back maybe 3 or 4 steps backward, gather all the evidence, decipher whether totoo ba ‘yan o hindi,” she said, as she cautioned against the tendency to rely on alleged whistleblowers without thorough examination.
Garin highlighted the need to protect the welfare of the public, as the confusion arising from the investigation could lead to instability within the country.
“At the end of the day, it’s actually really ruining our country. It’s okay to do investigations pero dapat iyong mga impormasyon na inilalatag ay totoo, nakitaan ng ebidensiya at talagang may direksiyon because at the end of the day you are wasting taxpayers’ money,” she added.
Garin also reminded Dela Rosa of the need for careful consideration in such high-profile investigations.
“It’s a very prestigious body, the Senate, so with due respect to Senator Bato na talagang nirerespeto naman natin, we cannot use the four corners of Senate and being a legislator to just put anything under the sun,” she said.
Garin pointed out the responsibility that comes with legislative power, noting the potential precedent being set if the investigation continues unchecked.
“With power comes responsibility. It’s not because it’s a President, meron mga artista na pinapangalanan, it’s not the point eh. The point is if this will not stop, this can be a precedent where anybody can be damaged,” she stressed.
Baseless testimonies
Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores agreed with Garin, stressing the need for caution to prevent damage from baseless testimonies and harm to the reputations of those accused.
He cited instances where individuals admitted to fabricating stories in order to gain attention during the committee hearing, thus turning the proceedings into what some have described as a circus.
Questioning the direction and objectives of the investigation, Flores emphasized the importance of avoiding a circus-like atmosphere and ensuring that the hearings serve a meaningful purpose.
“Tama iyong sinabi ni Congresswoman Garin, ano ang direksiyon? What do you want to achieve? Now, if you’re running a circus, you will naturally invite the clowns in,” Flores said.
He added, “So that is what we want to avoid, di ba? Sayang nga e, hindi mo na kasi mabawi ‘yung damage that you will do to the person once you testify this or that and it’s based pala on some unnamed informant.”
Flores emphasized the need for careful selection of witnesses, urging the committee to refrain from inviting individuals who may not have credible information or whose claims lack verification.
Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman also weighed in, reminding Dela Rosa of the need for careful consideration in such investigations.
“We recognize the independence of the legislative branch of government. We are co-equal with the executive. We do not question the prerogative of the Senate if they want to conduct an investigative inquiry. But let us be reminded that this act, this investigation has a sole purpose of trying to improve legislation,” Roman explained.
Roman questioned the real intention behind the inquiry, particularly when considering its conduct compared to the previous administration.
“When I view things how they are conducting this inquiry and I look back at the past administration, I can’t help but wonder what is the real intent of Sen. Bato dela Rosa. I would like to think that he would like to improve the legislation, but I’ve also asked myself, you know, it’s inevitable on the mind of everyone kung itong imbestigasyon na ito ay nangyayari sa nakaraang administrasyon. Ano kaya kaya ang nangyayari ngayon, ano? Parang merong kakulangan ng paggalang sa pagkatao ng ating Pangulo.”
Roman urged Dela Rosa to redirect his efforts towards more pressing legislative matters. “So nananawagan ako sa aking kaibigan Sen. Bato dela Rosa maybe you should focus your energy on more productive matters that really concern our citizens in the country,” she said.
“Katulad nga mamaya siguro mapapag-usapan din natin yung ating Rice Tarrification Law, ‘yung Anti-Discrimination Bill based on sexual orientation identity and expressions. So many, many other legislative measures that are more pressing and more urgent. So para sa akin it’s a waste of time, really,” Roman added.
