"Truth" will set them free –- Rep. Umali
Posted by unang apluma on Monday, October 18, 2010
Under: news
“IF THEY believe that the truth will set them free and they have nothing to hide nor guilty on allegations of corruption, then they should proudly face the Truth Commission.”
This was the challenge made by Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Rep. Reynaldo Umali yesterday as he urged fellow politicians perceived as targets of the Truth Commission even as he stressing that those guilty of corruption be punished to the full extent of the law.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of about the Truth Commission. This is an avenue where those accused can defend and set themselves free on allegations of corruption to the Filipino people," stressed Umali, vice chairman of the House Committee on Justice.
A former customs deputy commissioner whose brainchild, Run After The Smugglers program (RATS) enabled the bureau to file a record anti-smuggling cases, Umali is also vice chairman of good governance committee and ways and means aside from other committee memberships.
Umali’s statement came after Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Joker Arroyo, both known allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, criticized the creation of the Truth Commission because according to them it is legally flawed.
President Aquino created the Truth Commission, through Executive Order No. 1, to investigate the corruption issues being hurdled against Arroyo, now Pampanga 2nd District representative, and other officials.
“The Truth Commission is one way to ferret out the truth, in line with President Aquino’s promise that he will not let past government officials who have sinned against the Filipino people go unpunished,” Umali said.
Instead of criticizing the Truth Commission, Rep. Umali called on the opposition to instead advise the former leader to let the wheels of justice roll by facing the body headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide.
Also, Rep. Umali pointed out that the Truth Commission is not only out to to get Arroyo but other officials who were involved in other corruption issues, like Sen. Manny Villar’s controversial C-5 double insertion scandal.
At the same time, Umali expressed belief that the Supreme Court, whose 14 members were appointed by Arroyo, will be fair in deciding on the legality of the Truth Commission and not let partisanship get in the way.
“I believe that in the end, the Supreme Court will prove to everyone that they are looking out for the welfare of the Filipino people and not of one person,” Umali said.
This was the challenge made by Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Rep. Reynaldo Umali yesterday as he urged fellow politicians perceived as targets of the Truth Commission even as he stressing that those guilty of corruption be punished to the full extent of the law.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of about the Truth Commission. This is an avenue where those accused can defend and set themselves free on allegations of corruption to the Filipino people," stressed Umali, vice chairman of the House Committee on Justice.
A former customs deputy commissioner whose brainchild, Run After The Smugglers program (RATS) enabled the bureau to file a record anti-smuggling cases, Umali is also vice chairman of good governance committee and ways and means aside from other committee memberships.
Umali’s statement came after Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Joker Arroyo, both known allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, criticized the creation of the Truth Commission because according to them it is legally flawed.
President Aquino created the Truth Commission, through Executive Order No. 1, to investigate the corruption issues being hurdled against Arroyo, now Pampanga 2nd District representative, and other officials.
“The Truth Commission is one way to ferret out the truth, in line with President Aquino’s promise that he will not let past government officials who have sinned against the Filipino people go unpunished,” Umali said.
Instead of criticizing the Truth Commission, Rep. Umali called on the opposition to instead advise the former leader to let the wheels of justice roll by facing the body headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide.
Also, Rep. Umali pointed out that the Truth Commission is not only out to to get Arroyo but other officials who were involved in other corruption issues, like Sen. Manny Villar’s controversial C-5 double insertion scandal.
At the same time, Umali expressed belief that the Supreme Court, whose 14 members were appointed by Arroyo, will be fair in deciding on the legality of the Truth Commission and not let partisanship get in the way.
“I believe that in the end, the Supreme Court will prove to everyone that they are looking out for the welfare of the Filipino people and not of one person,” Umali said.
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