Press Release
December 6, 2008

INDEPENDENT SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON'S STATEMENT ON
MR. JOCELYN BOLANTE'S PETITION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT

"Mr. Bolante has a right to resort to available legal avenues guaranteed to him by our Constitution.

"It is however well within the Senate's right and duty to maintain and dispense unimpaired its legislative and oversight powers necessary to enable us to discharge the responsibilities imposed upon us, vested in, and permitted not only by our rules but also by our Constitution.

"This dictum has therefore guided the 13 senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to punish for contempt Mr. Bolante for his glaring evasive answers and false testimony during past three hearings of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

"The Senate's contempt order against Mr. Bolante is deemed necessary and indispensable in the discharge of its legitimate duties. Right now, it continues unaffected and remains fully enforced.

News Latest News Feed