Senate to pursue ‘1017’ probe

The Senate will push through with its inquiry into actions taken by the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the weeklong state of national emergency declared by President Arroyo, despite the lifting of the controversial proclamation.

Sen. Joker Arroyo, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said 13 senators including him signed Resolution 461, condemning the raids on a media entity and warrantless arrests of perceived enemies of the state.

"We will summon and invite government officials to give their positions. And I don’t give a hoot whether they show up or not. Because if they don’t show up, we will make a resolution, with or without their presence," Arroyo said.

Expected to be summoned to the Senate are PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao and officials from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Arroyo said the Senate is leaving the issue of constitutionality up to the Supreme Court.

"What we’ll hear is the question of policy, enforcement, legislation and whether there is something wrong," Arroyo said.

Meanwhile, speaking to Senate reporters, former Education Secretary Florencio Abad said it was important for the Supreme Court to resolve the issue despite the lifting of Proclamation 1017.

"We feel that the issue of (the declaration) being moot should not be entertained by the Supreme Court. Because there have been many questions raised both on the declaration itself as well as on the acts committed as a result of it," said Abad, a member of the so-called "Hyatt 10."

The "Hyatt 10" is a group of Cabinet members who resigned at the height of the President’s political crisis and asked her to do the same.

As for the media, Arroyo said the government could not regulate the media so any move to curtail press freedom should be considered prior restraint. — Christina Mendez