Press Release
February 5, 2008

SUPREME COURT ISSUES STATUS QUO ORDER ON NERI'S ARREST
Villar says SC order needed to resolve Senate-Executive impasse

Senate President Manny Villar today expressed his respect to the order of the Supreme Court requiring the Senate to comment on the petition for certiorari filed by former Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri against an arrest warrant issued by the Senate.

"We respect the Supreme Court order. At least, malalaman na natin kung ano ang extent ng kapangyarihan ng Senado para magpatawag at mag-issue ng mga arrest orders at ang executive naman para malaman nila ang hangganan ng kanilang hindi pagsunod sa ganyang mga subpoena," Villar said in an interview with Senate beat reporters.

While the status quo ante order issued by the Supreme Court means the arrest warrant vs Neri cannot be effected at the moment, Villar believes the ruling does not mean Neri prevailed on this issue.

"This is not a disposition on the issue. The order is simply issued to give the Court the leeway to hear the arguments. Hindi pa naman sila nananalo. Hindi pa naman nagde-decide ang Supreme Court. Ang hinihiling lang nila ay habang hindi pa sila nagde-decide, kung maaari ay huwag na munang i-implement ang arrest order," Villar said.

Villar said he already directed the Senate legal department to prepare the comments needed by the Supreme Court and also to prepare for the oral arguments scheduled on March 4. He also directed the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to put on hold the serving of the arrest warrant against Neri.

The Senate President also stressed that the Senate is ready to serve the warrant of arrest against Environment official Rodolfo Lozada now that he is back in the country.

The Nacionalista Party President said he welcomed the Supreme Court order that will pave the way for a clear-cut definition on the extent of the power of the Senate to summon resource persons in its legislative inquiries and the coverage of the executive privilege.

"Gusto ko na ring liwanagin ng Supreme Court ito para hindi na nag-aaway ang executive at ang Senado. We will abide by the Supreme Court's order on this issue," he said.

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