Enrile: Proposals on issuance of waiver just “dramatics”

ENRILE His questions seem to augur ill for Chief Justice Renato Corona when the Senate impeachment court hands down its verdict Tuesday. SENATE POOL

MANILA, Philippines–Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile on Wednesday branded as “dramatics” the proposals by some of his colleagues in the Senate requiring all government officials to issue a waiver to allow the opening of all their bank accounts.

“I don’t have to waive. What for?” Enrile said in an interview over television.

“If you want my SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth), I will give it to you. It’s in my website,” he said.

“Besides, in every SALN that you file, it carries a waiver. What more waiver do you want?” Enrile asked.

“Those are all dramatics. If you really want to tell the truth and nothing but the truth then bring your bank records and present them,” he added.

It was Senator Francis “Chiz’ Escudero who openly challenged his colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives when he voted against Chief Justice Renato Corona on Tuesday, to also issue a waiver when they file their SALN.

Escudero said he himself has submitted a waiver to the Senate to allow the Office of the Ombudsman to look into all his assets.

“Hinihimok at hinahamon ko ang mga kasamahan ko sa Senado at sa Kongreso na gawin din ito (I’m asking and challenging my colleagues in the Senate to do the same),” he said.

Escudero also asked Congress to pass his proposed bill requiring all government employees to issue the same waiver.