Damn if you do, damn if you dont This is the situation of Vice-President Jejomar Binay now. He has immunity from suit except for impeachment. He cannot be compelled by the Senate to attend the Senate hearing on the overprice issues of Makati Parkng Building because the Office of the Vice-President is clothed by the Constitution with the Independence that cannot be intruded into by the Senate. He can always invoke this Constitutional Independence to refuse Senate invitation for him to appear in its investigation in aid of legislation. Unlike his son Junjun who can be ordered arrested anytime for refusal to appear at the investigation. A few days ago, Veep Binay changed his mind from his earlier position to attend the Senate investigation. He even challenged before the Supreme Court the jurisdiction of the Senate to conduct investigation into local issues of Makati. For sure, the High Tribunal will dismiss his petition. That act of backing out in the last minute has no criminal, civil or administrative liability. He cannot be ordered by the Senate committee imprisoned, unlike his son. But his refusal to present his own evidence constituted by his testimony is presumed by the People that if he were present all that he could utter are adverse to his interest. Indeed, the way the investigation has turned up, the witnesses spoke with high credibility in their delivery of their testimonies. These are too difficult to overturn. For sure the Vice-President will be damned if he did testify. But he is also damned by his non-appearance. If his choice not to attend would turn out a better option, only the surveys can tell better.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 19:06:04 +0000
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