Press Release
August 28, 2013

SEN. GUINGONA: LISTS OF BLUE RIBBON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SPEAK FOR ITSELF

PAST PROBES LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF THE OMBUDSMAN,
CASES FILED VS A FORMER PRESIDENT, FIRST GENTLEMAN

Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III on Wednesday stressed to the public that the Senate Blue Ribbon is serious and thorough with all its investigations, and that the Committee, which he chairs, is not merely for show.

The senator is reacting to some sectors calling the upcoming Blue Ribbon investigation on priority development allocation fund (PDAF) scam as "moro-moro."

"I believe that the lists of accomplishments of the Blue Ribbon Committee will speak for its integrity and impartiality when it comes to investigating accountability of public officers. It was through the Blue Ribbon Committee investigations that an Ombudsman resigned for tarnishing the reputation of her office, a plunder case was filed against a former President for irregularities in the use of PCSO funds, and a former first gentleman now faces a criminal case in the Sandiganbayan because of second-hand helicopters sold to the Philippine National Police," Sen. Guingona said.

Senator Guingona also chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee during the 15th Congress. It was during this term that the Plea Bargaining Agreement entered into by former military comptroller Major General Carlos Garcia with the Ombudsman was found irregular and upon the recommendation of the Committee, the Supreme Court ruled that the PBA was void. The Committee also asked for the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. She announced her resignation a month after the investigations (April 2011).

As a result of the proceedings, the Committee recommended for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, to strengthen Plea Bargaining rules, and the amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering Law.

On December of 2011, the Blue Ribbon's investigation released a committee report on the alleged irregularities in the use and disposition of PCSO's intelligence funds. The Ombudsman subsequently has filed a case for plunder against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and several other accused.

It was also through the Blue Ribbon's investigation that former first gentleman Mike Arroyo is now facing a criminal case at the Sandiganbayan for selling the Philippine National Police second-hand helicopters. Several officers of the PNP stand as co-accused in this case. Some have been dismissed from service and deprived of their retirement benefits. The Committee also recommended amendments to the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," increasing penalties for offenses.

"We are committed to serving the public's interest with the Blue Ribbon Committee, thus I assure the people that neither their money nor time will be wasted with the investigations that we will tackle. As with our performance in the previous Congress, we intend to equal if not surpass our accomplishments with the Blue Ribbon Committee here on the 16th Congress," he said.

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