Drilon: I don’t think SC can stop Makati car park probe

Senate President Franklin Drilon INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Even the Supreme Court may not stop the ongoing investigation of the Senate into   the allegedly grossly overpriced Makati City Hall 2 parking building, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Friday.

Drilon was reacting to the jurisdictional challenge filed by the camp of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay before the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the parking building controversy. The committee junked Binay’s bid Thursday.

“I firmly believe that the [blue ribbon committee] has jurisdiction. As defined in the rules, on the basis of the resolution filed, there can be hearings in aid of legislation. This is an investigation in aid of legislation,” the Senate leader said in an interview.

“Of course, VP (Jejomar) Binay and Mayor Binay can bring this issue to the Supreme Court. That’s a privilege of every citizen. But let met reiterate that the questions are in aid of legislation, not for anything else. That is consistent with the decision of the SC,” he said.

Asked if the high tribunal could stop the Senate probe on the issue, Drilon said, “I don’t believe the SC has the power to enjoin legislative acts. The principle of separation of powers dictates that we are supreme in our own sphere.”

“The separation of power would call for the Senate to continue its investigation in aid of legislation,” he said.

While there were similar cases that have been brought to the SC, Drilon said, the court had “always sustained the right of legislature to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation.”

Drilon said he could not remember an incident where the SC had stopped a congressional inquiry except for one case where a resolution did not assert that it was in aid of legislation.

“Since that hearing, all inquiries are done in aid of legislation. That is within the prerogative and the power of legislature,” he pointed out.

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