Tingog.com

It’s a no go. The Senate has refused the compromise offered by the Supreme Court, although I’m not sure if it was a compromise rather than a bail out. Apparently, the only constitutional thing to do is to do a case by case basis and render judgment as to whether each case of Executive Privilege is justified.

What the Supreme Court wanted was for The Senate to set up the hearing with Romulo Neri in attendance, have the Senate then ask all their questions and then have all those questions which Romulo Neri asnwers with a call of Executive Privilege be scrutinized by The Supreme Court. These bundled questions would then be decided, instead of having each question separately judged, which would take too long.

The Supreme Court has a point. But here’s one point they may not realize when they want to order these Executive Privilege issues in a bundled take out manner (what is this fast food, legal version?). And that point is that The Senators cannot possibly provide bundled questions, because many questions will depend on the answer of Mr. Neri.

In any case, The Supreme Court Decision was a total let down. But the Senate didn’t fair better either. Bite the damn bullet, call Neri in, wait for The final Supreme Court Decision, and lay down the gauntlet and start asking questions.

They can ask questions regarding conversations he had with Jun Lozada, Benjamin Abalos, Formoso, Madriaga, and anyone else except the President. Then start asking questions regarding conversations with The President. If he asserts Executive Privilege then take them back to The Supreme Court. They’re going to wait any way right? Why not make use of the time.

It’s now a matter of principle I guess, and The Senators want to protect their right to exist as a co equal body, and will not allow themselves to be dictated as to what questions they can ask by another co equal body. But they have no choice, the constitution gives The Supreme Court that mandate. This isn’t a trinity, this is a government.

And lastly, Arroyo fairs the worst in this issue. The saga continues, and we see the totality of their stonewalling. Let Neri testify, the only embarrassment to be gleaned is from this corrupt Administration, and the only security issue to known is the insecurity with which Gloria holds on to her power.