Senate wants more reliable witnesses during probes

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee should consider the proposal to require resource persons invited to its hearing to first submit their sworn affidavits so they wouldn’t waste Senate probers’ time, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said yesterday.

Angara said he is amenable to the suggestion of Sen. Sergio Osmena III, vice- chair of the Blue Ribbon committee, to compel invited witnesses to submit their affidavits and supporting documents before they are allowed to participate in investigations conducted by the panel.

“We do not want a repeat of Mr. (Manuel) Mejorada’s testimony where he could not present a single evidence to substantiate his allegation,” Angara said referring to Senate President Franklin Drilon’s accuser in the alleged overpricing of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

It can be recalled that when Angara cross-examined Mejorada during last Thursday’s hearing at the Senate, the latter admitted he has no evidence to support his claims.

He further admitted basing his conclusions on rumors, newspaper reporters and Wikipedia.

“Well established is a citizen’s freedom of speech but anybody who goes before the committee should have done their homework as much as possible and come with supported testimony,” said the senator, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.