Press Release
December 3, 2007

Villar files resolution to inquire into the Makati incident

Senate President Manny Villar filed Senate Resolution No. 227 urging the Senate to immediately look into the Nov. 29 standoff in Makati, particularly the arrest of media men, the imposition of curfew, and accompanying issues.

It is entitled, "Resolution urging the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, national defense and security, economic affairs, and other appropriate committee/s to conduct an immediate inquiry and assessment, in aid of legislation, on the Nov. 29 takeover of the Peninsula Manila Hotel, taking into consideration the mass arrest of citizens including media men, the curfew declared, the perceived ineffectiveness of government intelligence gathering, and the economics of the issue, with the end-in-view of formulating remedial measures, and to provide citizens the so-called "teaching function" of the occurrence."

In his resolution, Villar said, "The occurrence in the Manila Peninsula will claim no victor, as it is a manifestation of the people's yearning for change and reform, and in fact, should serve as a wake-up call for true government by and for the citizens."

"The totality of the Manila Peninsula occurrence and its accompanying issues must be reviewed and assessed to serve as lamppost in what jurisprudence may call as "teaching function," - to provide lessons in governance, to ferret out the truth, and advance reforms in accordance with constitutional and peaceful methods," Villar said.

While stressing that he strongly disagrees with the "means employed" by the siege perpetrators, Villar said "the grievances are legitimate and must be addressed by the government."

Likewise, "I condemn the illegal arrest of media people and the imposition of curfew which infringe on the basic human rights of our citizens," he underscored.

"The unreasonable and rough treatment accorded to the media violates their rights with impunity and makes a mockery of our democracy," said the Senate President.

"The Senate will always put a premium on human rights and will always oppose the administration's attempts at curtailing civil liberties," Villar, Nacionalista Party president said.

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