No constitutional crisis amid Duterte s control of Cabinet exec in Senate probe, says Panelo

Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Monday denied that there is a constitutional crisis due to President Rodrigo Duterte ’s control on the attendance of Cabinet members to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairperson of the Senate committee, earlier said Duterte is willing to provoke a constitutional crisis in order to protect corrupt people.

But in a television interview, Panelo said Duterte has the privilege not to allow them to attend the probe into the supposed irregularities on purchase of pandemic supplies from Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

“Hindi naman (umabot sa constitutional crisis) dahil maliwanag naman ang sinasabi ng Korte Suprema doon sa desisyon na ginawa nila,” he said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(No, it was not a constitutional crisis yet because the Supreme Court has been clear with the decision they made)

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier also cited the 2006 Supreme Court ruling that deemed Executive Order 464, which bans Cabinet officials from attending congressional probe without clearance from the Chief Executive if it involves matters of national security, as constitutional.

“There is legal basis if the President decides to do that,” Roque said.

The same SC ruling on EO 464, however, allows Congress to compel Cabinet officials to attend investigations provided that the probe is in aid of legislation. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News

No constitutional crisis amid Duterte s control of Cabinet exec in Senate probe, says Panelo
Source: Filipino Viral News PH