Senate affirms decision for new Mamasapano probe

A tarpauline hangs at the People Power Monument in Edsa, Quezon City, January 18, 2016, in memory of 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed by Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25, 2015.  NINO JESUS ORBETA

THE Senate affirmed on Monday the decision of the committee on rules that allows the reopening of the investigation on the Mamasapano incident that left 44 elite policeman and several others dead.

No senator voted against the decision of the committee except for Senate President Franklin Drilon, who abstained, saying he “reserves” his opinion on the committee’s interpretation that a report could be reverted back to the committee level when there are new matters arising from the report.

“Is there any objection of that ruling of the rules committee? There being none, the ruling is affirmed by the plenary,” Drilon said.

“The chair, however, casts a vote of abstention because he reserves his opinion on the interpretation or application of the committee on rules at this point,” he further said .

The plenary voting was prompted by Senator Grace Poe’s manifestation where she inquired about the decision of rules committee being headed by Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano to return to the committee level the report on the Mamasapano incident.

Poe, who led the Mamasapano probe as chair of the committee on public order, had already come up with a report on the incident but Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile moved for the reopening of the investigation.

“Mr. President, it has always been my resolute duty that fairness, impartiality and independence be the guiding lights in the conduct of public hearings,” she said.

“The committee will be guided only by the institution’s (the Senate’s) and the people’s search for the truth and I will not shirk from the mandate and responsibility accorded to me as a Senator and as the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.”

“I shall do this, Mr. President, not to grandstand or politicize nor reopen old wounds but, because it is my sworn duty as a senator of the Republic to best serve the ends of justice and truth for all especially the 44 fallen heroes of the Special Action Force and their families. Sapagkat ang pinakamataas na paglilingkod ay dapat mula sa totoong katarungan,” Poe further said.

Poe has scheduled the reopening of the Mamasapano probe on January 27, 2016.