ON SEC. NERI'S ARREST
Villar: We must carry out our job

"We are only doing our job."

Senate President Manny Villar reiterated that the Senate must carry out its mandate under the Constitution whoever is involved.

Sec. Romulo Neri yesterday said it is unfortunate that Villar considers him a fugitive when they used to be classmates and worked together in Congress.

In a radio interview, Villar said, "It should be stressed that the primary issue here is not Secretary Neri but our mandate under the Constitution which we must carry out, and it so happens that at this time it is Secretary Neri's appearance before the Senate which is called for."

Villar stressed, "We are only doing our job, and he has all the chance to appear before the Senate."

"It is the duty of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to implement the arrest order unless the Supreme Court stops us or an agreement that Secretary Neri will appear at the Senate hearing is reached."

"What we want to uphold here is the right of the Senate to issue and implement an arrest order whenever our subpoenas are ignored."

"As I have said, we are ready to give utmost courtesy to Secretary Neri, even to the point of allowing him to use my office and the facilities of the Senate. This applies not only to him but to all others," the Nacionalista Party president said.