MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. yesterday thumbed down suggestions by some opposition lawmakers for the House of Representatives to invite President Aquino to its hearings on the Mamasapano incident on April 7 and 8.
“Remember, we have had two exhaustive inquiries already. This is just to wrap up. Certainly, we have no intention of inviting him to the inquiry, but would welcome any information he would give,” Belmonte said in a text message.
Belmonte was referring to the Feb. 11 hearing of the committee on public order and safety and the committee on peace, reconciliation and unity, and the proceedings in the ad hoc committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
The three committees have heard testimonies on the clashes between Muslim guerillas and Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
The encounters left 44 policemen dead. Eighteen Muslim fighters and five civilians also died.
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said he does not think Aquino would attend even if invited.
“They can invite him, but there is RSVP (please reply),” he said.
For his part, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III supported his minority colleagues’ suggestion for the House to invite the President to its hearings.
“Why not, there is no harm in trying. For all we know, the President is just waiting for another opportunity to explain himself on this tragic incident in Mamasapano. If he accepts the invitation, we will accord him all the courtesy due him and his office,” he said.
Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said there is no need for the President to appear before the House.
“He is willing to cooperate with us by giving us the information we need,” he said.
In fact, Malacañang has announced that it would send the House a transcript of text messages exchanged between Aquino and suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima on Jan. 25, he said.
“He is giving us his text messages. He has told the nation what he knows about the SAF operation in three nationally televised speeches. What more do we want?” Evardone asked.
For Rep. Rodel Batocabe of party-list group Ako Bicol, the minority’s suggestion for Aquino to testify before the House “is just a publicity stunt.”
Philstar
