Chairman Abalos defends SnB in Senate hearing!
The senators and all the people in the room were stunned!
After the enligthening and funny presentation of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay on how signatures were “gathered” from his constituents, both living and dead, the committee chairman (Senator Dick Gordon) asked for comments from the panelists.
Apparently “moved” by Binay’s presentation, Chairman Abalos turned on his mic and offered a comment that went something like this: “Mr. Chairman, there are always two sides to a coin. I don’t think they would be so stupid as to do this on enemy territory!”*
Senator Drilon had to caution the Comelec chairman from saying more by reminding him that Binay’s evidence and all other petitions would have to be heard by the Comelec.
Sayang, SnB did not attend the Senate hearing. I would have wanted to see and hear their reaction to Mayor Binay’s presentation. Solicitor-General Nachura was there, but as he underscored, he was there not as an official, but in his personal capacity as a citizen.
Amused, the chairman of the committee quipped that he would allow it because the senators rarely (as in never?) get to see an executive official participating in their hearings.
In answer to Senator Angara’s question on how Comelec will treat SnB’s petition, Chairman Abalos said the Comelec will meet en banc on Thursday and they will decide on the SnB petition before the week is over. He, however, reiterated his earlier statement that the commissioners do recognize that there is a Supreme Court ruling on the people’s initiative.
*blogger will try to get official transcript so i can reprint the chairman’s exact words.
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Susan “Toots” Ople
My friends call me Toots. Am the youngest of seven siblings. Our family hails from the coastal town of Hagonoy, Bulacan and we are proud of our roots. My daughter's name is Estelle and she's a brilliant debater/person. I love dogs! And I enjoy writing in the dead of the night.
So bale wala pala yung nabasa ko sa PDI the other day that Abalaos said that the SC ruling still holds.
Now with that support of Abalos for SNB,
It is up to the senate to stop PI and ConASS.
And if 8 groups already sent their dissenting opinions to the COMELEC, maybe it is about time to move it to the Supreme Court.
Karl, to be fair Abalos did say in the hearing that Comelec recognizes that there is such a SC injunction but that they would have to meet en banc to make a final decision on SnB’s petition. I also agree that the sooner this is over and done with, via a Supreme Court ruling, the better for all of us. The problem is what if despite a SC ruling, these pro-Chacha advocates continue on their merry way in revising the Constitution?
What a revealing answer by Abalos. So, on their freindly territories this cheating went on unabated? And, Senator Drilon, why did he not just let Abalos go on to hang himself?
This PI petition issue and comelecs position is just so asinine. So, Abalos does not only do the cha-cha, he also does the aw-aw and the oink, oink.
(1) Abalos’ statement, eventhough not really supporting SnB expressed an opinion that they (SnB) can do the tampering of signatures in areas they(SnB) control, (2) Abalos’ argument that it could not happen because SnB people are not stupid is false reasoning. I read a commenter (was it cvj?) use logic 101 term ‘post hoc ergo proctor hoc’, this applies to this argument from Abalos.
Maybe Abalos’ felt insulted by Binay’s presentation that he had to make a stand. Yeah, it was a Freudian slip.
Hi toots, sayang nga na di ako naka-abot. I guess frank drilon was concerned about possible pre-judgment. And, yeah, I guess Abalos should’ve seen that coming. I hope when this case goes to the supreme court toots, we’ll be on the same side of the divide.
james, i know we will be on the same side, for sure. thanks!
tonyo, senator drilon said he wanted to dispense friendly advice to the chairman, who is also a lawyer.
thanks, jon. someone else reacted that abalos was not defending sigaw per se, but merely extolling everyone to be cautious since there is always two sides to a coin. perhaps, that’s true. but that he had to speak up at all, right after binay’s presentation, and with such emphasis, tells me different. my advice is for the chairman to be cautious, because emotions are running high, and he heads an institution responsible for resolving this messy affair, if the SC rules in favor of SnB’s petition.
Abalos’ “smart” remark only shows what the en banc will do. His assertion about the SC ruling is mere lip service. If indeed the COMELEC is bound by that ruling, they could have informed SnB that they cannot entertain such a petition. “Unseen” hands are definitely pulling strings. SnB will not dare cross paths with the SC as they could not get a favorable response. We must bear in mind that the SC is very cautious as the public’s eye is watching their every move. So to me, the buck stops at the COMELEC. With the way GMA wields power, she can get away with anything, just look at how she circumvented the SC on EO 464. I hope I’m wrong but I just cannot count on the COMELEC’s commissioners to be fair at this time.