12 resource persons confirm attendance in Senate probe on Puno

Rico Puno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—At least 12 government officials and resource persons have confirmed their attendance in the Senate investigation except for resigned Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, who is the subject of the probe.

But in an interview over Solar Nightly News Tuesday night, Puno said he would attend the hearing if he receives an invite from the Senate.

The 12 who confirmed their attendance for Friday’s hearing by the Senate committee on constitutional amendments are the following:

— Environment Sec. Ramon Paje;

— Justice Secretary Leila de Lima;

— National Police Commission vice chairman and executive officer Eduardo U. Escueta;

— Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz;

— PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome;

— Deputy Director General Emelito Sarmiento, PNP bids and awards committee chairman;

— Reynaldo C. Espineli;

— Senior Superintendent Oliver Tanseco;

— Senior Supt. Joel Pagdilao, deputy director of operations, Quezon City Police District;

— Jocelyn Jose, of Trust Trade and Glock Asia Pacific;

— DILG Special Assistant Isoceles P. Otero; and

— Major General Renato Miranda, Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force head;

The hearing, initiated by its chairperson, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

Santiago called the investigation motu proprio to evaluate Puno’s perfomance while in office.—Maila Ager