Bam Aquino mulls Senate probe, legal action vs. Aguirre over false claims

Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday said he is considering calling for a legislative probe on and taking legal action against Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II over the Cabinet official’s claim linking some opposition lawmakers to the Marawi attacks.

In a press conference, Aquino said Aguirre’s accusations should not be taken lightly, considering it’s implications on personal security and relationships between government agencies.

“It’s not only personal, but this is also institutional because he represents the Department of Justice. Hindi lang ito basta-basta na ‘bro, sorry ha, nagkamali ako.’ This was said by the secretary of Justice regarding sitting senators,” Aquino said.

“It’s not a light accusation. It’s probably the heaviest accusation, that you’re in cahoots with terrorists,” he added.

Aquino said there are “some groups” who have approached him and suggested filing a case against Aguirre. “We are still looking at that, tinitignan natin kug anong magandang course of action,” he said.

He said another possibility is to call for a Senate inquiry on Aguirre’s allegations when session resumes in July.

“We’re also thinking of filing for an investigation on this matter pagbalik sa July. Kasi obviously, wala naman kaming tinatago, magandang pa-imbestiga sa majority para malaman yung katotohanan,” Aquino said.

Right now, Aquino said, he is still awaiting a public apology from Aguirre.

The senator said Aguirre had already apologized to him over the phone Wednesday night, hours after the Cabinet official alleged that a meeting took place among opposition lawmakers, certain families, and local leaders, just weeks prior to the Maute group’s attack in Marawi City.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, Aguirre said it was possible that the May 2 meeting allegedly attended by Senators Aquino and Antonio Trillanes IV, and Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano could have “sparked the terroristic acts in Marawi."

Also allegedly present at the meeting were former presidential adviser on political affairs Ronald Llamas, certain families, and local leaders.

By Wednesday night, Aguirre claimed he was misquoted by the media.

"What I said was that there were reports that some opposition senators and leaders went to Marawi to recruit local politicians and warlords to destabilize the Duterte administration," Aguirre said.

Aquino said Aguirre could have easily fact-checked the information he got, as he lamented how some critics believed “fake news.”

“The sad truth is, maraming maniniwala, yung mga galit sa minority at sa opposition. Palagay ko alam din yan ni Secretary Aguirre kaya niya ni-release,” Aquino said.

“We are officials of the government. You are the secretary of Justice, we expect more from you,” Aquino told Aguirre. —KBK, GMA News