Gordon eyes faster, more thorough probes

Senator Richard Gordon called yesterday for faster and more thorough conduct of Senate inquiries by requiring witnesses to execute a sworn statement before appearing in probes that may involve criminal prosecution afterwards. He said that a deposition would minimize lying by witnesses, prevent the Senate from going into a wild goose chase, and shorten inquiries in aid of legislation. "I don't want the Senate to go on a fishing expedition all the time especially on sensational cases such as the broadband deal because we deprive the people of the ability to understand and follow what is happening," he explained. He added that it would also keep Senate investigations from dragging on and with no definite direction. He lamented that some senators appeared groping in the dark during the hearings with their lack of prior knowledge on what a witness would testify about. "It is important that we have a piece of paper where we can really look over and have a basis for questioning. We will be able to prepare ourselves; we would not be surprised and no other parties will be surprised," Gordon stressed. He noted that Section 16 of the Senate rules merely say that written statements not even under oath may be filed by any witness desiring to do so, before the appropriate committee not less than 24 hours before the hearing. "In other words, the filing of statements is merely discretionary. I have filed Senate Resolution 321 to amend this rule by making the submission of sworn statements mandatory in all inquiries that may involve criminal prosecution later ," he said. He explained that the senators would ask the questions for the deposition of witnesses and the witnesses will be locked on their statements. "At the end of the sworn statement, they will say nothing more. If they introduce in their testimony a new element not found in their deposition, then they should explain why they did not mention this earlier," he said. Gordon patterned his proposed amendment to the Senate rules from the Rules of Court adopted by the Supreme Court. "The evident purpose is to enable the parties to obtain the fullest possible knowledge of the issues and facts before the start of the trials and prevent them from being carried on in the dark," he said.