Noynoy failed to consult sectors on Davide’s post By Angie M. Rosales 07/16/2010

Noynoy failed to consult sectors on Davide’s post

By Angie M. Rosales 07/16/2010 An ally of President Aquino yesterday took note of the “displeasure” aired by former President Joseph Estrada and his son, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, in handpicking former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as chairman of the Truth Commission, intimating that Aquino would not have had all these criticisms leveled at his choice of Davide as head of the commission even from his allies, if he had sought the sentiments of concerned sectors prior to his appointment of a chairman of a fact-finding commission. Davide, known for having gone against the Constitution when he swore in then Vice President Gloria Arroyo — not as acting president but a full president, despite the fact that the Office of the President was not vacant, as then sitting President Joseph Estrada had not resigned, nor was he permanently incapacitated, nor impeached — had been identified as a staunch ally of Arroyo, and was, until a few months ago, her appointee to the United Nations as the Philippines’ permanent representative. Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said Aquino should have conducted consultations with concerned parties over criticisms in having Davide as lead of the body that will investigate alleged anomalies of the previous administration. “I respect the opinion of (former) President Erap (Estrada). Yes, I have heard criticisms along those lines and perhaps (President) Noynoy (Aquino) should have touched base with other people or other groups who might have had those concerns. “But it’s too late now. Unless President Noynoy changes his mind, it’s (former) chief justice Davide who will conduct inquiries of the Truth Commission,” he said, during the Kapihan sa Senado news forum. Estrada’s son. Senator Jinggoy, in a radio interview two days ago, vowed to expose the alleged anomalies linked to Davide and said he has the evidence to prove his charges. He promised to deliver a privilege speech on this. It will be recalled that when Davide was the sitting Chief Justice, the House of Representatives filed an impeachment complaint against him, on account of his having misused the multi-million Judiciary Development Fund (JDF) and went all out to build a retirement hotel for SC justices in Baguio City as well as purchased overpriced curtains and furniture for the renovation of the high court’s offices and courtroom.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100716hed2.html

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