Press Release
January 19, 2012

ANGARA ON REP. SONNY ANGARA AS SPOKESPERSON:
ABSOLUTELY NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Senator Edgardo J. Angara once again gave reassurances that his objectivity and impartiality as a Senator-Judge will not be impaired by the position of his son, Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" M. Angara, as deputy spokesperson of the prosecution panel.

"He declined the offer to be a prosecutor and only accepted the role of spokesperson precisely to avoid any issues of conflict," said the senator. "Furthermore, a spokesperson only reflects the opinion and position of the group he represents, and does not take an antagonistic position toward a judge.

"Insinuations that I can influence the decisions of Rep. Angara and he can mine are utterly unfounded and speculative. We are fully capable of fair and just judgment," stressed the elder Angara, a distinguished lawyer and former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

"We have separate lives, live in different households, built distinct careers," he continued. "Truth be told, I only learned about Rep. Angara's assignment as deputy spokesperson from the news. He did not consult me about this post because he did not need to. I expect him to make his own decisions and give his own views, as I will do."

Angara, who served as Senate President from 1993-1995, said the Senator-Judges are fully aware of the import of the trial on national life and history. "Hence, our decision on the impeachment complaint before us ought to be based only on what is good for the country, what is right by our conscience and the law---nothing else."

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