The fishy smell of E.O. 464....

The other day, Malacañang issued Executive Order No. 464 (download a PDF file of the Executive Order here), which, in effect, prohibits cabinet members, police and military generals, senior national security officials, and "such other officers as may be determined by the President" from testifying before hearings held in aid of legislation in Congress or the Senate.

Smells fishy, if you ask me.

As if it wasn't enough that the rights of citizens to peaceable assembly had been curtailed by the "Calibrated, Preemptive Response" (CPR) initiative launched by the Office of the President in order to put in check street protests, now we have what amounts to be a gag order which seriously compromises the authority of the legislative branch from conducting inquiries in aid of legislation.

It all started from that dang Gloriagate scandal which first reared its ugly head more than three months ago. This controversy had its climax only a few weeks ago when in a dramatic turn of events, Congress has voted to thumb down the impeachment complaints filed against Pres. Arroyo (see previous post here).

Then came the issue over the mysterious RP-Venable LLP lobby contract which saw National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales suffer a stroke (is it a real stroke or just a ruse?) after being grilled for two hours in a Senate investigation regarding the circumstances of that agreement. For some reason, Gonzales has refused to disclose any information of import, such as his contacts to Venable LLP, the identities of the "private donors" who are footing the bill of the contract, and how payments had been made.

Then came the "CPR" order preventing public demonstrations.

It was followed by rumors of the imposition of Martial Law.

Then allegations of corruption in the $503 million NorthRail project.

Now the Executive Order which prevents key public officers in the executive branch from offering testimony in congressional hearings.

Yeah. Something does smell fishy.

Little by little, we see our fundamental rights gradually being stripped away, and the checks and balances institutionalized by our Constitution and by the existence of the three branches of government also slowly being whittled at.

And most disturbing of all...our right to information...our right to know the truth.

For the life of me, I cannot fathom how we can tolerate a government that is bent on hiding the truth at all costs and that insists on perpetuating itself in power despite the loss of its moral ascendancy to govern and multiple allegations of various acts of impropriety.

Can you?

It just seems that Malacañang is making more and more enemies everyday. Something has to give sooner or later. And to be honest, that scares me a lot.

Quaere Verum.

Links:

Gov't execs need Arroyo OK to appear in congressional probes
Constitutional crisis looms due to gag order