Press Release
November 25, 2008

Senate probes will remain independent, fair, and impartial -- Gordon

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today reasserted that the Senate blue ribbon committee he now heads would continue to be independent, fair and impartial in its investigations, notably into the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

"We have always been independent and have always gone against what is wrong and supported what is right. I have never been afraid to say what must be said and I've always dared to do what must be done," he said in a radio interview, hours before he presides over Senate probe on the fertilizer scam at 10 am today.

He pointed out that his track record which goes all the way back to the 1971 Constitutional Convention when he went against proposals to extend Marcos' term is more than enough proof that he remains an independent.

During the Aquino administration, Gordon added he rallied against the removal of the US bases, went against Estrada's excesses and continues to be critical of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

He further said that if there will be changes on how the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, it will be to institute improvements in its proceedings in order to make it more sensible and effective in ferreting out erring public officials.

In continuing its probe on the fertilizer scam, Gordon said he will also inquire on what happened to the recommendations from the Senate's previous investigation led by its former Chairman Senator Joker Arroyo and former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

The Arroyo-Magsaysay report had recommended that the Ombudsman investigate the allegations against President Arroyo and all other personalities cited as being part of the fertilizer fund anomaly, he explained.

"We will ask the Ombudsman why it has not acted on these recommendations. If the Ombudsman still refuses to move on these recommendations, we will ask the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct investigations into these complaints. These are serious charges and it demands that government act on it quickly," Gordon added.

News Latest News Feed