Miriam wants JPE probed over memoir

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has accused Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile of making false claims in his memoir, including his reported ambush in 1972 that led to the declaration of martial law.

When Congress begins session this July, Santiago will file a resolution for the Senate to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to determine the veracity of Enrile’s book.

In a statement, Santiago said Enrile may have committed any of several crimes punishable under  the Revised Penal Code: unlawful use of means of publication, falsification by  public officer of a document, or falsification by private individual.

“Whatever the crime, the basic rule is that the accused should have violated public faith and destroyed the truth, as decided by the Supreme Court in the 1985 case of Gamido, and the separate case of Sabiano,” she  said. “The Enrile book caused a scandal because his claims have no relation to political reality.”  

Santiago said the scandal will be finally settled when retired Philippine National Police chief Ramon Montaño appears in a Senate hearing.

“The rule in evidence will apply to Enrile: false in one thing, false in all things.  Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus,” she said. 

Montaño has told her that he is willing to testify in a public hearing and affirm his statements against Enrile, Santiago said.   

Enrile’s camp has not issued any comment about Santiago’s allegations as of press time.

Last Friday, Yahoo! News published Montaño’s allegations that Enrile was lying in his book. 

“Montaño, who went with Enrile to break away from the chain of command during the crucial years of martial law, said the Senate President made up details on his supposed ambush in his book,” said the Yahoo! News article.