Palace puzzled at Makabayan bloc’s line of questioning

Malacañang is puzzled at the questions thrown at President Aquino by the militant Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives about the Mamasapano incident, especially since he had previously answered most of them.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that while the President was willing to cooperate with the House inquiry in the interest of ferreting out the truth, he raised doubts about the motive of the opposition lawmakers.

“If anyone looks at the questions posed by the Makabayan bloc, most of them have been responded one way or the other by the President,” Lacierda told reporters in the Palace.

“The question is: ‘Bakit ninyo tinatanong ulit? [Why are you asking them again’]’ Siguro you don’t want the answers the President gave, one reason, or you are not satisfied with the President’s statement or there is a line that you want the President to state, to say,” he added.

Nonetheless, Lacierda said the President was unwavering in his support to seek out the truth about the Mamasapano incident.

He said it was up to the Congress leaders decide on the methodology that will aid their investigation while ensuring the separation of powers and the respect for co-equal branches of government.

“We’d like to emphasize the commitment of the President to uncovering the truth. Part of the reason here is to ensure that the statements of the President will also be enshrined in official documents,” Lacierda said.

“However, this is a House investigation and, therefore, it should be in keeping with the House leadership as to the procedure, the manner of eliciting the truth mindful again, and let me emphasize, mindful of the separation of powers and the respect for co-equal branches of government,” he said.

“Let the House leadership determine that process in uncovering and in making sure that the statements of the President are also reflected in their House report,” he added.

He reiterated a Palace appeal to lawmakers to make sure that the inquiry will focus on the primary mission of uncovering the truth instead of being abused by those planning to advance their personal motives.