Press Release
September 25, 2013

Statement of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the question whether Janet Lim-Napoles should appear before the Blue Ribbon Committee

It was out of prudence and caution that I decided to defer to the advice and recommendation of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales not to require, at this time, Janet Lim-Napoles appearance before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

While my decision appears unpopular to media and a public eager to see Napoles grilled by the Blue Ribbon Committee, I have decided on the side of caution. I would rather err on the side of prudence.

What is at stake here is the ability of the Office of the Ombudsman to prosecute the PDAF misuse cases against the Napoles with dispatch and without delay. This is the principal goal of our justice system.

This is not a question of which institution is "supreme": the Senate or the Office of the Ombudsman. What we must uphold is supremacy of the rule of law. There is no question that serving the ends of justice and making our justice system work is our primary objective.

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