No gag order on alter egos—Noy By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/21/2010

EO restricting GOCCs, GFIs fat pays under way No gag order on alter egos—Noy By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/21/2010 No gag order has been imposed by President Aquino on his Cabinet members and executive officers, Malacañang yesterday said, despite the clear snubbing of several Cabinet members last week, among whom were Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. Aquino is also not keen on resurrecting former President Arroyo’s Executive Order 464 which bars Cabinet officials and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from testifying before any congressional inquiry, Malacañang said yesterday. EO 464 was struck down by the Supreme Court which ruling was deemed as vague by the Arroyo administration. The same EO, was however, replaced by a Memorandum Circular (MC) by Arroyo which banned all officials, officers and employees falling under the executive branch from appearing before congressional hearings without the written permission of the President. This was never revoked by Arroyo, nor, for that matter, the incumbent Malacañang tenant, which means that the gag rule on the MC is still in force and effect. There was also a ruling by the high court, penned by Associate Justice Teresita de Castro, that upheld the President’s executive privilege, even in the instance where a probable criminal action is involved, as spelled out in the case the Senate brought before the Supreme Court.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed1.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme