Paggamit ng executive privilege nais linawin ng kongresista

MANILA – Nais ng isang kongresista na kasapi ng oposisyon na amyendahan ang patakaran sa Kamara de Representantes sa pag-iimbestiga upang hindi maabuso ang paggamit ng Executive privilege ng mga ipatatawag na opisyal ng pamahalaan. Ayon kay Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, dapat magkaroon ng malinaw na panuntunan sa paggamit ng executive privilege upang hindi maging inutil ang Kongreso. "Congress cannot legislate wisely or effectively in the absence of information respecting the conditions which the legislation is intended to change or address," paliwanag ni Rodriguez, vice chairman ng House committee on Mindanao affairs. Pinuna ni Rodriguez na may ilang opisyal sa ahensya ng pamahalaan ang imiiwas na dumalo sa pagdinig ng kapulungan gamit na dahilan ang executive privilege. Iginiit ng kongresista na nakasaad sa Sec. 21, Art. 6 (The Legislative Department) ng Saligang Batas na, "The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its respective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure." Sa ilalim ng House Resolution 794 na inihain ni Rodriguez, nais nito na dagdagan ng probisyon ang patakaran sa paggamit ng executive privilege upang maging malinaw kung sino ang saklaw ng prebilihiyo. “When the testimony would affect sensitive national security; when the testimony would affect diplomatic matters; when the testimony refers to military services; and when it is necessary for the effective discharge of the executive and policy decision making process of the President," nakasaad sa resolusyon. Dapat naman umanong bigyan ng listahan ng itatanong sa pagdinig ang mga kalihim na ipatatawag sa imbestigasyon ng Kongreso. “If, in his own judgment, the matter being asked is covered by executive privilege, the official shall be afforded 15 days to inform the President and the Executive Secretary of the possible need to invoke the privilege," aniya. “Finally, if after the lapse of 15 days, neither the President nor the Executive Secretary invokes the privilege, then the House shall no longer be bound to respect the failure of the official to appear before Congress based on the proposal," pagtatapos ni Rodriguez. - GMANews.TV