Lawmaker tells Aquino: Just answer questions

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines—Just answer the questions, please.

That is what a Makabayan bloc lawmaker said in reply to Malacañang’s dismissal of the 20 questions that seven members of the progressive bloc had posed to President Benigno Aquino III on the Mamasapano debacle.

READ: 20 questions Aquino must answer on Mamasapano—militant solons

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said that presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was wrong to claim that the lawmakers’ questions had already been answered.

Lacierda’s “dismissive generalization” again indicated a stonewalling, evasiveness and selectivity on the President’s role in the Mamasapano massacre on the part of the executive branch of government.

For instance, “has the President ever explained why he allowed [resigned former Philippine National Police Director General Alan] Purisima to take the lead in Oplan Exodus despite the latter’s suspension?” Tinio said.

“Has he ever disclosed to the public what he and Purisima discussed after meeting with [dismissed Special Action Force commander Getulio] Napeñas in Bahay Pangarap?” Tinio said in a statement.

“Has he disclosed any and all text messages and other communications to Purisima and other officials during that fateful day?” he added.

“The answer to all of the above is no,” Tinio said.

Tinio noted that Mr. Aquino had yet to give a full accounting of the reports he received and the directives he issued to the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Jan. 25, or the role played by the United States military, the extent of his knowledge of such a role, and the legal basis for allowing the same.

Lacierda said the President had already responded to the questions posed by the Makabayan bloc in some form or other.

“The question is, why are you asking again?” he said.

READ: Palace answer: Why are you asking them again?

The Makabayan lawmakers sent the 20 questions in a petition to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and the chairs of two House committees conducting an investigation into the Mamasapano incident, asking them to invite Mr. Aquino to the congressional hearing next week.

The House leadership has said it does not intend to invite Mr. Aquino, believing that he has sufficiently explained himself on the Mamasapano issue, one of the biggest crises to hit his administration.

“Malacañang can choose to believe that the President has already told all regarding Mamasapano. Or it can choose to listen to the public, the overwhelming majority of whom remain unsatisfied by his explanations,” Tinio said on Wednesday.