MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Monday said
her Senate committee on revision of codes and laws would invite the
wife of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to an inquiry this
week.
In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Santiago said the
panel was planning to invite Robredo’s widow, Lennie, to find out
the real story behind the alleged visit of Interior Undersecretary
Rico Puno to her late husband’s office and house in Quezon City.
“We will understand if they refuse our invitation,” the senator said in Filipino.
President Benigno Aquino III himself admitted that he ordered
Puno to lockdown Robredo’s office. But the order, Malacanang said,
did not cover the late secretary’s condominium unit.
Santiago noted how Robredo’s widow refused to allow Puno into her
late husband’s condominium, adding that the wife also seemed wary of
the undersecretary’s visit.
“Maliwanag na walang tiwala si Mrs. Robredo kay Mr. Puno [It is clear that Mrs. Robredo does not trust Mr. Puno].”
Aside from the widow, Santiago said the committee will also
subpoena Puno and Philippine National Police chief Director General
Nicanor Bartolome, who is being considered to be his replacement as
undersecretary for peace and order.
Another issue the senator sought to examine
was Puno’s sole control over police matters when undersecretaries, by
law, are “mere delegates” of the cabinet official.
“Pero itong si Puno ay iba. Binigyan siya ng eksklusibong kapangyarihan sa pulis. Ang Secretary pala ay walang pakialam sa pulis dahil hawak na niya, solo na niya [With Puno, the case is different as he was given exclusive power over police matters. The Secretary no longer handles these issues as [Puno] has been given full control over them],” she pointed out.
“That’s already an irregularity at the very least. It’s an anomaly actually at the worst,” Santiago added.
Instead of maintaining silence over his involvement in various controversies, Santiago said Puno should uphold transparency and explain.
