MANILA — It looks like another all-out war between the Senate and the Arroyo administration is brewing, this time to the detriment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in war-torn Lebanon who are still waiting to be repatriated.
Hurting from the refusal of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s aides to attend a Senate committee hearing on the Lebanon crisis on Monday, the Senate leadership yesterday issued subpoenas requiring government executives concerned to testify, with a threat of arrest for those who refuse.
Senate President Manuel Villar signed the subpoenas upon the request of opposition Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, head of the labor oversight committee, which is looking into the repatriation plans and the funding for OFWs stranded in the Lebanon war.
Villar said speculations of wrongdoing and Palace attempts to cover up government anomalies continue to circulate because of Malacañang’s penchant to bar its officials from attending congressional investigations.
“I’m hoping that they respect the Senate as an institution. If they don’t respect me, they should respect the Senate,” said Estrada.
The subpoenas would be sent to Labor Secretary Arturo Brion, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., Foreign Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr., Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Marianito Roque, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Rosalinda Baldoz and Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor.
“As long as Malacañang does not allow its officials to attend our hearings, the more the public and senators would suspect that they are hiding something, the more they would suspect that government has misspent the funds,” Villar said on radio.
Villar also reminded Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita that the Senate only provides prepared questionnaires to its resource persons during the privileged “Question Hour” and not during ordinary committee hearings.
Estrada said senators were willing to give a “second chance” to labor and foreign affairs officials who snubbed last Monday's inquiry.
In a radio interview, the son of former President Joseph Estrada said the subpoenas will give the officials a chance to redeem themselves.
"Their presence is crucial because it concerns national interest. Funds for OFWs are at stake,” he said.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye labeled second hearing was labeled a “political circus” by who said “we are not about to allow our officials and instrumentalities to be pilloried by another round of political circus and media grandstanding.”
“No amount of political noise will set back our resolve to ensure the safety and welfare of the remaining OFWs in Lebanon, and bring them home or to safer sanctuary elsewhere,” Bunye said.
Senators may cite in contempt invited witnesses who snub a Senate subpoena. Once cited in contempt, witnesses are ordered detained at the Senate premises until they have purged themselves of their “improper” conduct.
Estrada also said he found “unacceptable” Malacañang’s claim that the officials invited to the hearing were busy and could not attend the hearing.
“The excuse is unacceptable because while we were conducting the hearing and if they were really busy, why did they hold a simultaneous press conference in Malacañang?” Estrada asked.
