EO creating Truth Commission out this week

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino is set to sign Executive Order 1 creating the Truth Commission to be headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

In his State of the Nation Address, Mr. Aquino said he would sign the executive order setting up the Truth Commission this week.

“If the answer to justice is accountability, the answer to the dearth in funds is a new and creative approach to our long-standing problems,” he said.

“We have begun forming our Truth Commission, through the leadership of former Chief Justice Davide.

“We will search for the truth on the alleged wrongdoings committed in the last nine years (of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors might be designated as members of the Truth Commission, along with retired justices from the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court.

Last week, Mr. Aquino said he wanted the Truth Commission to be equipped with the “right powers” to investigate alleged anomalies in the Arroyo administration.

“Of course, the subpoenas will have to come from the legislature,” he said.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said last week that the draft executive order may be released soon.

Parameters will also be set with regard to summoning resource persons who may turn out to be witnesses, he added.

The Truth Commission will not be a “toothless tiger,” according to Ochoa.

Meantime, retired SC associate justice Romeo Callejo has accepted the offer to become a member of the Truth Commission.

Secretary De Lima said Callejo was chosen because of his integrity, probity, competence and independence.

An expert in criminal and procedural law, Callejo retired on April 27, 2007 after 21 years in the judiciary.

He was conferred the Justice Jose Abad Santos Award for honesty and integrity.

Callejo is a member of the Retired Judges Association of the Philippines.

De Lima said three others have also been named to the Truth Commission by Malacañang.

“There are already names that came out, but I can only confirm that of retired Justice Callejo because he has accepted the offer already,” she said. – With Edu Punay