No abuse of discretion in Pharmally probe – Gordon

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Richard Gordon has objected to the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that the Senate Blue Ribbon committee committed grave abuse of discretion in citing Pharmally officials in contempt.

“I express my profound shock, disappointment, and vehement objection in the strongest possible terms towards an aspect of the Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Pharmally, where it stated that the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Senate gravely abused its discretion in holding (Lincoln) Ong and Michael Yang in contempt of the Senate and thus ordering their arrest and detention,” Gordon said.

“In my humble opinion, the contempt and orders of arrest against the two petitioners Ong and Michael Yang Hong Ming should have been upheld in light of the totality of facts present and discovered by the Blue Ribbon,” he added.

Gordon lamented that the SC decision could affect the Senate’s power to detain uncooperative resource persons during its investigations.

“It sets a damaging precedent against the legislature, as a co-equal branch of government. It blunts one of the only few potent tools available to the Senate in pursuing accountability, truth and justice,” he said.

Still, Gordon thanked the SC for affirming in its decision the legislature’s powers on investigations in aid of legislation and its contempt powers.