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No request, no Senate probe on corruption

July 7, 2021 Marlon Purification 314 views

SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Richardo Gordon is still awaiting for Senator Manny Pacquiao to file a resolution or submit documents that will enable the committee to launch an investigation on the alleged corruption in various government agencies.

“Investigation of corruption cases must proceed but my committee cannot investigate based merely on newspaper accounts. I have neither received any request, nor has any Resolution been filed regarding Senator Manny Pacquiao’s allegations. Moreover, no documents have been shared with us,” Gordon said.

On the other hand, Gordon reiterated that he will not shrink from his duties and responsibilities as the Blue Ribbon panel chairman, adding that Pacquiao’s latest allegations against three government agencies “must be taken seriously.”

“But before we can even think of proceeding, the Blue Ribbon must know what it will be specifically investigating. It cannot go willy-nilly into any battlefield without knowledge of the what, the who, the how, the when, and the damage it caused the government. Unfortunately, we have yet to see the specificity of the allegations,” he explained.

Gordon explained that although the Blue Ribbon panel can launch a motu propio probe on Pacquiao’s allegations, he still needs to see the specific facts that surround the allegations.

“In legal parlance, I need a bill of particulars to be fair to all concerned. The tremendous powers of the Blue Ribbon Committee cannot be exercised in a cavalier fashion that could only lead to abuse. We are not in the business of chasing ghosts. We are in the business of doing what is right,” he said.

However, Gordon has instructed the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s staff to get in touch with the concerned authorities and find out whether there is “smoke and fire” behind the allegations.

“If there is basis, I will not hesitate to act and do what is right,” he ended.