Senate likely to recall security detail to whistleblowers
06/22/2010 Security personnel assigned to so-called whistleblowers or those who expose anomalies allegedly being perpetuated by influential government officials are likely to be pulled out anytime soon as the Senate’s mandate to protect the witnesses is seen to expire following the 14th Congress’ adjournment. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said it will be up to next upper chamber leader whether to continue providing security to the key witnesses. “I don’t think they’re still under any threat. We provided them security because we don’t want to be accused of being inconsiderate of their well-being,” he stressed. Enrile said he believes that giving them such privilege even when the issues involving witnesses are no longer subject to investigation by the Senate is no longer practical. “If I had been the Senate president then, when they sought for security detail, I would not have granted it. It’s an added expense for the government.... If you really want to serve the country by exposing the ills in government, you should be willing to risk your life,” the Senate chief said in a radio interview. Amid talk of an impending reorganization in the Senate, Enrile pointed out the possible implication of the stay of upper chamber security to the witnesses when 15th Congress opens in July. “I told the (Senate) Secretariat Emma Reyes that come June 30, afternoon of June 30, I will no longer be signing any papers. When the Senate opens, I will no longer be presiding. I’m only the president during the 14th Congress. Come June 30, the 14th Congress had already lapsed and it will already be the 15th Congress so there’s no Speaker of the House, Senate president, officers. “There will be a new set of officers for both the Senate and Lower House. So when Congress opens on July 26, the ones presiding will be the secretary general of both Houses,” he said. Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100622hed5.html |
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