MANILA, Philippines — The chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday asked Senate President Franklin Drilon to reconsider his decision not to subpoena Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the P10 billion “pork barrel” funds scam.
“We urge you to reconsider your decision not to approve a subpoena issued to Janet Lim-Napoles,” Senator Teofisto Guingona III said in his letter to Drilon.
“A response within three days would be appreciated,” he said.
Guingona said “caution, timing and prudence” should not be used to diminish and destroy the Constitutional power of the Senate to conduct investigations in aid of legislation.
And this power by the Senate, he said, has been upheld by the Supreme Court in several cases.
“Government officials and even the whistleblowers have been summoned pursuant to the investigation. No logical and legal reason exists why caution, timing and prudence are now being used to prevent Janet Lim-Napoles from attending the hearings of the Senate blue ribbon committee,” said the senator.
“From the time I sat as chairperson, a total of 22 subpoenas have been signed by the previous and current Senate President. There is no reason why Janet Lim-Napoles’ subpoena must be treated differently,” Guingona added.
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