Palace respects Congress decision to reject 20 questions for Aquino

Was the House of Representatives’ decision to prevent militant lawmakers from sending their Mamasapano-related questions to President Benigno Aquino III a welcome development for Malacañang?

READ: House rejects 20 questions for Aquino

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Tuesday did not say whether the President was happy with what happened but he said they respected the decision of the lawmakers.

“Kinikilala din natin ’yung kanilang kapangyarihan o prerogative na magpasya sa mosyon ng kanilang mga kasapi (We also acknowledge their power or prerogative to decide on the motion of their members),” he said.

Coloma refused to elaborate, saying that had been Malacañang’s stand from the very beginning.

On Tuesday, two house committees conducting hearings on the botched Mamasapano operation voted to deny a motion by militant lawmakers to ask Aquino about his involvement in the operation.

Palace officials have repeatedly stated that there was no need for Aquino to testify before Congress. They also said he had answered most of the questions raised by his critics. RC

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