Senator Teofisto Guingona III. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Teofisto Guingona has expressed disappointment over the Senate’s decision to seek the opinion of the Ombudsman on his committee’s request to invite Janet Lim-Napoles into the P10 billion “pork barrel” scam investigation.
Guingona is chairman of the blue ribbon committee, investigating the scam.
“I think this is wrong, in my opinion and it should not have been done,” the senator told reporters in Filipino on Tuesday.
“I’m disappointed. Yes, I am disappointed,” he added.
Guingona said he was surprised to learn that Senate President Franklin Drilon had to seek the opinion of the Ombudsman on the subpoena that he issued to Napoles for her to appear on Thursday’s committee hearing.
Napoles, who has been detained for serious illegal detention of whistle-blower Benhur Luy, was among those charged with plunder at the Office of the Ombudsman.
“I didn’t see that coming and I was surprised this morning that that was the action taken,” Guingona said.
Asked then if there was a need for the Senate to invite Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales herself to know her opinion about the subpoena against Napoles, the senator said, “Not anymore. In the first place, I’m not in favour of asking the Ombudsman’s comment,” he said.
“The power of the Senate is Supreme. We do not have to get the opinion of another branch of government. They can’t interfere,” Guingona added.
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