Press Release
March 25, 2008

KIKO ON THE SC DECISION FAVORING NERI'S INVOCATION OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE
"We will act accordingly to assert our position as we seek the truth behind the ZTE NBN deal" - KIKO

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan remains firm in seeking the truth following the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Romulo Neri's invocation of executive privilege.

"We respectfully disagree with the SC ruling and we will file a motion for reconsideration. In the meantime, I will move that Neri be subpoenaed and that I intend to ask him other questions on the alleged involvement of PGMA in the ZTE NBN transaction. If he refuses to speak up without justifiable grounds I will move that he be cited in contempt of the senate and detained. We will not allow this legal setback to prevent us from seeking the truth." Kiko said.

By a vote of 9 to 6, the High Court upholds Neri's argument that the Senate cannot force him to answer questions covered by executive privilege.

"This legal setback is temporary and we intend to correct and remedy the situation by legally asserting our prerogatives as a co equal. As a co equal to the Judiciary and the Supreme Court, the Senate will not allow interference in purely legislative matters by other branches of government and we will assert our constitutional status as a co equal. We disagree with the SC decision and consistent with the constitution and the rule of law we will act accordingly to assert our position as we seek the truth behind the ZTE NBN deal. It's very simple and it's most unfortunate that the majority in the SC didn't see it in that way; that the people deserve to know whether or not the president acted unlawfully after having been informed that the ZTE NBN deal then under negotiations was tainted with unlawful and illegal acts. I don't see how executive privilege can be allowed under these circumstances." Kiko ended.

News Latest News Feed