SUPREME COURT SHOULD RULE ON 1017 ENRILE

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday (March 7) that the Supreme Court should rule on the constitutionality of Presidential Proclamation 1017 in order to promote national stability.

In an interview over radio station DWIZ, Enrile said that the issue raised by the proclamation of national emergency has not become moot and academic upon its lifting by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to Enrile, who is a former secretary of justice, there are other issues that remain unresolved like the violation of human rights and civil liberties as a result of the proclamation.

He declared that these issues should be resolved by the Supreme Court with finality to bring about constitutional stability.

Replying to the claim of President Arroyo that the Senate was being obstructionist in investigating alleged irregularities in government, Enrile said the President should not be too sensitive about the Senates investigation of alleged government anomalies.

It is the duty of members of Congress, including the Senate, to scrutinize the transactions and other actions of the Executive Department as elected representatives of the people, Enrile declared.

He pointed out that the Congress can also help the Executive by exposing anomalies in government to make it more honest and efficient, and by enacting wise laws as a result of its investigations in aid of legislation. This is all part of our democracy, Enrile declared.

He said that cleaning the government is not just the concern of the Executive but also part of the duty of Congress, and both should cooperate in providing for more effective and efficient governance.