Palace to pursue corruption probe against previous administration

The Aquino Administration will pursue steps to make officials of the previous administration
accountable for allegations of corruption and wrongdoing, Executive Secretary Paquito N.
Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday.

Ochoa made the statement after the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Executive
Order No. 1, which seeks to establish the Truth Commission whose task is to investigate
reports of graft and corruption committed by officials of the previous administration and their
cohorts from the private sector.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of Executive Order No. 1 will not
deter us from pursuing measures necessary to look into the allegations of corruption by the
previous administration,” Ochoa said.

“While this decision may hamper and perhaps delay our efforts to obtain justice for the
people, we remain steadfast in our commitment to scrutinize the numerous allegations and
accusation in our quest for truth,” he added.

According to the Executive Secretary, Malacañang will file a motion for reconsideration and
explore other options within the bounds of the law to investigate, try and punish those who
may have used and abused their positions to enrich themselves while in office.

President Benigno Aquino III created the Truth Commission in response to urgent call from
the people to determine the truth behind reports of large-scale graft and corruption allegedly
perpetrated by his predecessor and her officials. (PCOO)

Palace lawyers to help President Aquino decide on IIRC recommendations

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said Tuesday the Palace legal team will assist President Benigno Aquino III “arrive at legally sound decisions” based on the report of the Independent Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC).

In the 83-page report, the IIRC has recommended the possible filing of administrative and criminal charges against 10 government officials and three media men and television networks in connection with the mishandling of the August 23 hostage incident at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Ochoa, who along with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo de Mesa, has been tasked by the President to study the report, said the government’s legal team has started going over the IIRC recommendations since the Chief Executive made it public last Monday.

The Executive Secretary emphasized that the final decision remains with President Aquino.

“The President, after going through the report and our input, will have the final say as to what sanctions to be imposed on those found liable,” Ochoa said.

The President directed the legal team to specifically study the recommendations and specific charges to be filed against government and police officials, as well as media personalities and TV networks that were named in the report by the IIRC members.

The Executive Secretary clarified the role of the President’s legal team is to help the President understand “the legal nuances concerning the IIRC report.” (PCOO/PIA)