BONG REVILLA WANTS GAG ORDER CLARIFIED

Senator Bong Revilla today urged officials to clarify the gag order over the on-going investigation on the botched hostage-taking incident, as he expressed apprehension that it might jeopardize the result of their Senate inquiry.

The senator stressed that the Senate inquiry on the incident might go nowhere because of the gag order which centralized all information relating to the probe of hostage-taking incident.

"We are conducting the Senate investigation in aid of legislation. How could we propose an effective legislative measure if our resource persons are instructed not to divulge anything that they know about the incident?" Bong Revilla asked.

The lawmaker said he will formally ask Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima regarding the scope of the gag order.

"We understand the reason behind the gag order. It is important that information must be centralized to prevent misinformation. My worry is during the senate inquiries, resource persons might refuse to answer questions because of this. If that happens, our inquiry might go nowhere," he explained. "This is why authorities must clarify the gag order. We can have an executive session if it is necessary."

Meanwhile, Bong Revilla expressed support to the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong on its advice to Filipino tourists to cancel their planned holiday in the Chinese territory in the wake of the recent botched hostage-taking incident.

He said Philippine Consul General Claro Cristobal was correct in recommending to would-be Filipino tourists to Hong Kong to postpone their trip if it is not really necessary. "Even though there is no real threat against Filipinos in Hong Kong , it would better if they wait until the tension subsides and the issues resolved so can enjoy their holiday without anxiety," he added.