Palace to Miriam: PNoy doing what's right on Mamasapano debacle

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday responded to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago's statement that President Benigno Aquino III is skirting liability by refusing to apologize over the Mamasapano incident.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the President will do what is right in the search for truth on the bungled operation that cost the lives of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

"Ginawa, ginagawa at gagawin ng Pangulo ang lahat ng nararapat hinggil sa pag-alam sa buong katotohanan na magbibigay-daan sa pagpapanagot sa mga responsable sa pagpaslang sa PNP-SAF 44 at pagtamo ng katarungan para sa kanila," Coloma told Palace reporters in a text message.

Insisting that he was misinformed on the operation, Aquino has been under heavy fire for passing all the blame to relieved SAF commander Getulio Napeñas instead of admitting his possible mistakes in the Mamasapano mission.

While he has taken responsibility for the operation's outcome in his latest national address, Aquino has yet to issue a public apology.

Santiago said earlier today that Aquino has refused to apologize because he wants to evade any criminal or civil liability after he leaves Malacañang.

"The answer is because he wants to avoid any liability arising from a confession after his term finishes in 2016. Remember that when he is no longer President, he becomes liable to all manner of suits," Santiago said.

"So he is afraid that if he apologizes, in effect, some court might consider that as a confession admissible in court. Therefore, he will be his own worst witness," she added.

Santiago also said Aquino should have immediately revealed the truth on the Mamasapano mission.

"The moment that the crisis began brewing, immediately the President should have, by himself, told the truth to the Filipino public," she said.

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