Press Release
February 4, 2009

Gordon inhibits from Senate probe on dual posts

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today inhibited himself from participating in the Senate ethics committee's deliberation on the alleged impropriety he may have committed for accepting chairmanship of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

Gordon reached his decision to accord the Senate ethics committee, which he co-chairs, an appropriate level of impartiality in deliberating the formal complaint lodged against him by former Quezon City Rep. Dante Liban. "I will leave it (investigation) up to the committee. I will inhibit myself. Suffice it to say, I have been with the Red Cross for 40 years. But I will refrain from even attending the committee hearings on this specific complaint," he said. "The committee should be given the wide swat in conducting its investigation (into this complaint)," he added.

Liban earlier this week lodged his formal complaint to the Senate ethics committee requesting that Gordon be expelled from the Senate for illegally holding dual positions as a senator and as chairman of the PNRC, which he claims to be both government agencies.

In 2006, Liban was expelled as chairman of the PNRC-Quezon City Chapter in a unanimous vote upheld by the Court of Appeals and was charged for robbery and estafa for his failure to account for P10 million of PNRC funds.

Although he has decided to inhibit himself from the Senate panel's deliberation on the complaint against him so as not to unduly influence its decision, Gordon however clarified he will still take an active part on other complaints lodged before the committee.

"With respect to other people or other members of the Senate who may be brought here like the case of Senator (Manuel) Villar because I understand a case have been filed against him here, I will certainly be part of the hearings. However, insofar as the case against me is concerned, I welcome it but I will not take part in the hearing," he said.

Gordon refused to let the resurrection of the old, rehashed issue to prevent him from continuing his humanitarian work, adding it is a politically motivated move that is aimed at discrediting him and tainting his good reputation.

"This is obviously a politically motivated and desperate move to discredit me. I shall remain undeterred by devious individuals who have nothing worthwhile to do but poison the people with grossly wrong information so that they can peddle their lies," he said.

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