Hontiveros to Pirma: Disclose donors or face criminal raps

Sen. Risa Hontiveros during one of the Senate hearings. | PHOTO: Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal charges may be filed against leaders of People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (Pirma) if they continue to hide the identities of donors who helped bankroll the controversial “EDSA-pwera” advertisement,  Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Friday, Feb. 16.

In a statement, Hontiveros said Pirma’s continued refusal to disclose the names of its donors falls under the crime of “disobedience to summons issued by Congress, its committees or subcommittees” under Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code.

“Pirma lead convenor Noel Oñate should remember: The Senate cannot be ignored and ignored, because that is a violation of the law,” Hontiveros said in a mix of English and Filipino.

According to Hontiveros, the crime warrants a penalty of up to six months imprisonment or a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,000. It could also be both, she noted.

But apart from criminal charges, the opposition senator said Oñate, along with other Pirma leaders, could also be cited for contempt if they would continue to disobey the chamber’s orders.

“The law is clear that the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum of the Senate must be obeyed. If the donors to the TV ad are worried about their privacy or security, then the list could be submitted and examined in an executive session, as mentioned by committee chair Sen. Imee Marcos. But no matter what happens, they are not above the institution of the Senate,” Hontiveros added.

The Senate panel on electoral reforms and people’s participation earlier issued a subpoena against Pirma, ordering its leader convenor Noel Oñate to disclose the names of donors who helped pay for the P55 million-worth EDSA-pwera commercial.

READ: PIRMA spent P55 million on ‘EDSA-pwera’ ad discrediting Constitution

READ: Pirma exec says ‘Edsa-pwera’ ad donors prefer to stay anonymous

Despite repeated warnings, Pirma has not provided names, saying the donors have chosen to “invoke their right to privacy” and asked Oñate not to publicize their identities.

Hontiveros argued, however, that if Pirma and its donors’ intentions were clear, there should be nothing to hide.