Press Release
November 10, 2008

MIRIAM'S PLOY TO GET DELA PAZ

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that she has agreed with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, for their two committees to hold a joint hearing on the "Euro generals" case.

Former PNP comptroller Eliseo Dela Paz, thru counsel, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the jurisdiction of the foreign relations committee.

Though issued a subpoena, Dela Paz failed to appear at the hearing last October 23, and argued that jurisdiction does not belong to the foreign affairs committee, but to another committee where he would be willing to testify.

After overruling the challenge to the jurisdiction of her committee, Santiago issued an arrest warrant against Dela Paz.

Senate Pres. Manny Villar has signed the arrest warrant, which so far has been signed by eight senators.

According to Villar, at least 10 members of the foreign relations committee should sign the arrest warrant.

"To avoid all these technicalities, it would be better if the two committees hold a joint hearing, so that Dela Paz can no longer make a pretense of challenging jurisdiction on the arrest warrant," Santiago said.

She said that if the Senate schedules the Bolante hearing this week, then the Dela Paz hearing will be held next week.

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