MANILA, March 20 (PNA) — Malacanang on Friday said President Benigno Aquino III has given his go signal for the Senate to have a copy of the transcription of his SMS communication with former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima on the early hours of January 25, 2015.
”This is in keeping with upholding the dignity of the office and maintaining the principle of separation of powers and respect for a co-equal branch of government,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.
Valte, in reaction to calls for the President to attend Congressonal inquiry regarding the Mamasapano incident, said “ the pursuit of justice must be defined by a strong commitment to the truth.”
”President Aquino has been unwavering in his support for truth-seeking regarding the Mamasapano incident, and encourages any action that would contribute to arriving at the truth at the soonest possible time,” she said.
The President’s consent was given through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.
And since the President has given his consent, Valte said they “therefore leave it to the responsible members of Congress to arrive at a methodology that will aid their investigation.”
She stressed that lawmakers should bear in mind “that the inquiry should remain focused on its primary mission”,”which is “to uncover the truth.“
”In this manner, the process will not be abused by those who might be inclined to take advantage of the occasion to advance personal motives,” she added.
The President earlier said Purisima gave him inaccurate information while the Special Action Force (SAF) operation to arrest wanted terrorists Malaysian Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Filipino Ahmad Akmad Batabol Usman, alias Basit Usman, in Mamasapano, Maguindano on January 25, 2015 was ongoing. (PNA)