President Aquino can’t be probed for KKK, says Sen. Escudero

MANILA – The House of Representatives does not have the jurisdiction to investigate the so-called ‘KKK’ of President Benigno Aquino III, said Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero in an interview on Wednesday.

KKK stands for kakampi, kaklase, and kabarilan (partymates, classmates and shooting buddies), a dig by the President’s detractors on his alleged penchant for appointing persons to his cabinet who share his inclinations and passions.

“Wala silang hurisdiksyon (They have no jurisdiction),” Escudero declared.

“Saan ka nakakita, iimbestigahan dahil KKK? Imbestigahan nila kung may ginawang masama. Hindi porke kaibigan, kaklse, iimbestigahan na agad (They will investigate only because they are KKK? They should investigate if there are wrongdoings. Not because they are friends or classmates of the President) ,” he pointed out.

Escudero himself, is known as a close friend of President Aquino.

The senator reminded the opposition in the House, who is pushing for the probe, of the President’s prerogative to choose his people in government.

“Nakakalimutan nila, sole prerogative ng executive kung sino ang iaapoint (They must have forgotten that it’s the sole prerogative of the executive to choose who to appoint),” Escudero said.

Escudero acknowledged that KKK branding by the opposition might have somehow contributed to Aquino’s dwindling popularity based on recent surveys.