Friday, April 04, 2008

Neri, a landmark ruling if held on half a page

No frills, Neri v. Senate Committee should have been a cut-and-dry case.

The essential FACTS and ALLEGATIONS are not complicated:
The testimony of Romulo Neri, former NEDA Director General, before the three Senate committees was to the effect that President Arroyo to spare the government from funding the proposed National Broadband Network (NBN) project had been first amenable to undertake the said project on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement; it was however put aside to give way to one financed by a government-to-government loan to be obtained by the Philippines from China. Over other competitors, the project worth $329.48 million, now better known as the NBN-ZTE deal, was ultimately awarded to ZTE, a China owned corporation.

Of all the people in the Philippines, the highest election official of the land, COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos - who had been alluded a number of times in the “Hello, Garci tapes” - appeared to have brokered the deal and offered Mr. Neri 200 million pesos in exchange for NEDA’s approval of the project. Mr. Neri informed President Arroyo of the bribe offer but Arroyo did not immediately order the investigation of the “crime” directly reported to her by Mr. Neri or cause the prosecution of Abalos. Arroyo however told Mr. Neri not to accept the bribe. At such point and thereafter, Mr. Neri has refused to answer further questions from members of the committees about what he and the President talked about invoking executive privilege.

Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr, an erstwhile NEDA consultant who reviewed the NBN project testified before the Senate committees that the project was overpriced by $197 million and accused Abalos of demanding a $130-million “commission” from the project.

Jose De Venecia III, the son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., also testified before the Senate committees that the President’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo told him to “back off” from pursuing the project. De Venecia III co-owns Amsterdam Holdings Inc, which submitted a losing proposal for the NBN project.

In his testimony, De Venecia III further claimed that Mr. Arroyo wanted a $70-million “commission” from the project.
Following the testimony of Mr. Neri, three more important events happened: 1) The foreign loan was cancelled together with the NBN project; 2) Abalos quit as COMELEC chairman; and 3) Arroyo admitted over dzRH radio that she had been advised about the irregularities in the project the day before she witnessed the signing of the NBN-ZTE deal in China. (NOTE: The executed NBN-ZTE contract was also reportedly stolen.)

The ISSUE: Whether or not Mr. Neri should be required to answer more questions about the NBN-ZTE deal than he has already made available to the public despite his invocation of executive privilege?

What are NOT AT ISSUE: 1) That the President and other high-ranking executive officials, by established constitutional doctrine, are entitled to “executive privilege” to withhold information from Congress, the courts and the public, subject to constitutional limitations. 2) That by express provisions of the Constitution, Congress or any of its committees, have the power of inquiry in aid of legislation or by time-honored congressional practices and traditions and established constitutional doctrine the power of oversight, both powers being similarly subject to constitutional limitations.

The RULING (that never was):

The issue being thus narrowed, the APPLICABLE LAW is straightforward:
“Foreign loans may only be incurred in accordance with law and the regulation of the monetary authority. Information on foreign loans obtained or guaranteed by the Government shall be made available to the public.” (Section 21, Article XII of the Constitution)
The foregoing provision is an express constitutional limitation to the doctrinal executive privilege developed in American jurisprudence. The limitation is operative regardless of whether the information on foreign loan is being demanded by an ordinary taxpayer, the Monetary Board, or by Congress or any of its committees in aid of legislation. When it comes to information on foreign loans obtained or guaranteed by the government, judicial decisions of alien origin upholding the claim of executive privilege but are inconsistent with the constitutional requirement of disclosure are without force and effect. For how could a decision of an inferior foreign court modify an unmistakable constitutional mandate?

Under pain of penalty, Mr. Neri may therefore be compelled to disclose more information about the NBN-ZTE deal than he has already made available to the public despite invocation of executive privilege.

Postmortem ANALYSIS: Executive privilege encourages presidential unilateralism. When used against legislative oversight, the privilege serves to veto policymaking at its very inception. Why did the majority in Neri in the effort to uphold executive privilege choose to play blind to the clear language of accountability and transparency in the Constitution?

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

star wars ccg singles [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]singles adult holidays[/url] ranch movie singles ad horse http://loveepicentre.com/ arkansas dating sites brett dye

February 24, 2010 2:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

women report on men met dating sites [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]rolling stones singles[/url] free online dating in canada http://loveepicentre.com/ whoisjohngalt female dating

February 25, 2010 8:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

drug periphenalia and needles [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lithium-carbonate.htm]lithium carbonate[/url] katie fey nude smoking galleries http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/hytrin.htm intervals for calcium tablets intake http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/generic-imitrex.htm
treatment of viral infections with fever [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/xenical.htm]xenical[/url] speakers on geriatric health in tulsa [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/imitrex.htm]anne arundel medical center and annapalis maryland[/url]

March 26, 2010 6:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the great depression average salary [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/amoxil.htm]amoxil[/url] for the birth control pill to take effect http://usadrugstoretoday.com/index.php?lng=uk&cv=po how much blood is neefor the red cross patients http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cleocin.htm
health insurance in other countries [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/relafen.htm]relafen[/url] houston dental collage [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/parte-pills.htm]acquired fanconi syndrome and epstein barr virus[/url]

March 28, 2010 3:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://rxonline.in/rimonabant/rimonabant-suppliers-uk
[url=http://rxonline.in/omeprazole/omeprazole-order-mail]prescription drug diethlpropion hcl tabs[/url] mexico levitra [url=http://rxonline.in/relafen/relafen-medication]relafen medication[/url]
drugstore news http://rxonline.in/restlessness/ptsd-motor-restlessness
[url=http://rxonline.in/zestril/drug-zestril]sexual deviant drug whore[/url] pharmacy jokes top ten [url=http://rxonline.in/rimonabant/diet-drug-rimonabant]diet drug rimonabant[/url]
orphan drug act http://rxonline.in/reglan/use-of-reglan-in-rabbits
[url=http://rxonline.in/lotrimin/treating-ringworm-with-lotrimin]australian food and drug administration[/url] buy imitrex drug [url=http://rxonline.in/hypnotherapy/hypnotherapy-schools-in-san-antonio]hypnotherapy schools in san antonio[/url] what people think against legalization of drugs [url=http://rxonline.in/levodopa/stalevo-and-levodopa]stalevo and levodopa[/url]

March 30, 2010 2:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

magellan behavioral health locations phoenix [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-diabetische.htm]anti diabetische[/url] cvs pharmacy in atlanta http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/triphala.htm low calcium diet http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/crestor.htm
who composed inside my heart [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lexapro.htm]lexapro[/url] ear infection rochester [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/g.htm]heart shaped dog dish[/url]

April 08, 2010 11:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

website for united auto workers local 1870 http://automotoportal.in/mazda/mazda-and-malaysia nissan report to 2008 auto analysts of new york
[url=http://automotoportal.in/mercury/mercury-arc-rectifiers]texas horse racing[/url] mango automobile [url=http://automotoportal.in/seat/illinois-car-seat-safety-laws]illinois car seat safety laws[/url]
edmonton auto show http://automotoportal.in/yamaha
[url=http://automotoportal.in/saleen/saleen-s7-story]dodge air conditioning brackets[/url] automobile truck models prone to breakdown [url=http://automotoportal.in/skoda/skoda-dieselvero]skoda dieselvero[/url]
automobile engineer schools in ok http://automotoportal.in/porsche/porsche-928-colours
[url=http://automotoportal.in/seat/case-1000-replacement-toilet-seat]auto classifed[/url] auto dealer thank you cards [url=http://automotoportal.in/rover/livermore-range-rover]livermore range rover[/url]

April 21, 2010 5:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

mercedes chrome w124 fender trim http://eautoportal.in/bentley/maria-bentley audi volkswagen san rafael
[url=http://eautoportal.in/infiniti/infiniti-stamford]volkswagen splash shield[/url] recalls on dodge dakota truck [url=http://eautoportal.in/jeeps/reno-nevada-lithia-jeep]reno nevada lithia jeep[/url]
arizona insurance automobile loss of use http://eautoportal.in/ford/ford-gt40-trin-turbo
[url=http://eautoportal.in/auto-and/auto-gps-rankings]city auto sales in claremont nh[/url] wolverine automobile lansing michigan [url=http://eautoportal.in/ducati/ducati-florida]ducati florida[/url]
automobile accident photos http://eautoportal.in/auto/jerry-johnson-auto-nc
[url=http://eautoportal.in/aprilia/aprilia-rsv-hydro-locked-engine]heater core for 1997 dodge ram[/url] dodge city auto in saskatoon [url=http://eautoportal.in/acura/acura-service-rip-off]acura service rip off[/url]

April 21, 2010 11:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

travel missouri http://livetravel.in/cruises/boats-cruises-in-france travel johnson first aid kit
[url=http://livetravel.in/adventure/abillity-guide-for-sonic-adventure-2-battle]velcro back travel organizer[/url] computer keyboard travel cases [url=http://livetravel.in/map/nys-flood-map]nys flood map[/url]
travel tours taulk http://livetravel.in/adventure/kenya-adventure-holiday
[url=http://livetravel.in/motel/route-14-barre-motel]travel directions to south park mall in charlotte north carolins[/url] wild women ontario travel [url=http://livetravel.in/tours/elite-tours]elite tours[/url]
adlt escorted travel in costa rica http://livetravel.in/tourist
[url=http://livetravel.in/motel/oak-harbor-wa-motel]venice travel packages[/url] womens travel backpacks [url=http://livetravel.in/tours]tours[/url] travel feature writing [url=http://livetravel.in/airline/ukraine-cheap-tickets-usa-cheap-flights-airline-tickets]ukraine cheap tickets usa cheap flights airline tickets[/url]
american travel overseas [url=http://livetravel.in/vacation-packages/all-inculsive-vacation-package]all inculsive vacation package[/url]
milne travel so burlington http://livetravel.in/vacation-packages/universal-studios-vacation-package
[url=http://livetravel.in/tourist/bremer-bay-tourist-resort]the right to travel[/url] how does santa travel in brazil [url=http://livetravel.in/vacation-packages/universal-studios-vacation-package]universal studios vacation package[/url]
[url=http://livetravel.in/tours/holland-america-cruise-tours]holland america cruise tours[/url] travel agency services [url=http://livetravel.in/tour]tour[/url] qbe travel [url=http://livetravel.in/motel/find-me-a-motel]find me a motel[/url]
iowa travel advisory [url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/arenal-manoa-hotel]arenal manoa hotel[/url]

April 23, 2010 1:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

auto complete email adresses in vista http://autoexpress.in/maybach/maybach/rental/in/ohio volkswagen dealerships in halifax nova scotia
[url=http://autoexpress.in/saturn/saturn/ventilation/odor]volkswagen deutschland[/url] auto part software download [url=http://autoexpress.in/saab/e36/on/saab]e36 on saab[/url]
auto climate control in cx7 http://autoexpress.in/scooters/hona/2/wheeler/scooters/in/india
[url=http://autoexpress.in/plymouth/wyoming/valley/west/gym/in/plymouth]reviews of mercedes benz e350 station wagon[/url] crown victoria automobile [url=http://autoexpress.in/scion/scion/window/motors]scion window motors[/url]
mercedes benz technical manual http://autoexpress.in/panoz/panoz/ameican/sports/cars
[url=http://autoexpress.in/saturn/royal/doulton/saturn]auto repossession forwarding companies[/url] saab suv automobile [url=http://autoexpress.in/saab/saab/dealer/albuquerque]saab dealer albuquerque[/url]

April 25, 2010 1:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

tentacle hentai movie gallery http://theporncollection.in/porn-galleries/sex-free-porn
[url=http://theporncollection.in/hentai-sex/hentai-mafia]adult photographers[/url] shaved cunt porn [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-dvd/free-xenosaga-sex-porn-anime]free xenosaga sex porn anime[/url]
girl usin dildo http://theporncollection.in/best-porn/sleeeping-porn-blowjob
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-porn/moldova-gay-boys]dynasty warrior hentai[/url] babes in toyland adult [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-love/gay-uniform-studs-cum-fucking-free-video]gay uniform studs cum fucking free video[/url]
free virgin blowjob http://theporncollection.in/moms/tooele-moms
[url=http://theporncollection.in/masturbating/masturbating-auditions]moms anal sex[/url] amazon adult films [url=http://theporncollection.in/masturbating/masturbating-online]masturbating online[/url]
adult video tarilers http://theporncollection.in/orgasm/teen-tickling-orgasm
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-boy/gay-tantric-massage-nyc]tanaka reina sexy videos[/url] kumari anal puja [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-anal/gay-porn-news]gay porn news[/url]

May 14, 2010 3:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

sleeping girl hentai game help http://xwe.in/thongs/latino-models-in-thongs
[url=http://xwe.in/shemales/shemales-bulges]mother anal porno[/url] anema anal [url=http://xwe.in/adult-xxx/adult-filmstars]adult filmstars[/url]
plant engineering lubricant cross reference http://xwe.in/fetish/bizarre-boy-fetish
[url=http://xwe.in/teen-ass/bad-ass-poems]lesbiean hentai[/url] dvd adult stores online [url=http://xwe.in/teen-ass/ass-sites]ass sites[/url]
free adult videos homemade sex http://xwe.in/erotic-gay/accupuncture-that-have-erotic-servies
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-gay/free-erotic-adult-enema-stories]collier county adult education classes[/url] lesbian suduction porn [url=http://xwe.in/bdsm/bdsm-group]bdsm group[/url]
anal videos tgp http://xwe.in/bbw/interracial-bbw-dvds
[url=http://xwe.in/gay-anal/gay-son-incestvideos]adult valentines day coupons[/url] hentai manga free online [url=http://xwe.in/blowjob/free-hardcore-porn-blowjob-teens]free hardcore porn blowjob teens[/url]

May 17, 2010 7:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

j m kleinman http://www.thefashionhouse.us/29-dolce-amp-gabbana-size16.html extra wide girls shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=2423]cheap nike air jordan shoes[/url] infant clothes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/women ralph lauren polo discount code coupon friends and family employee [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/takeshy-kurosawa-t-shirt-for-men-black-item2020.html]high end fashion liquidation[/url]

May 28, 2010 10:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hush puppies shoes http://luxefashion.us/navy-blue-casual-tops-color21.html timberlland shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/white-black-dresses-color18.html]work clothes[/url] lauren jackson
http://luxefashion.us/women-page31.html victorian age fashion [url=http://luxefashion.us/54-armani-size9.html]kiddy fashion company[/url]

June 01, 2010 8:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

tibetan clothes http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=2101 fashion knitting [url=http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=1049]nyc shopping designer knock offs[/url] whats in fashion now
http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=2505 men fashion hair men [url=http://luxefashion.us/t-shirts-for-men-page10.html]ralph lauren pickstitch stovepipe[/url]

June 02, 2010 2:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

air jordan spikke shoes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/38-gucci-size24.html lauren sheely [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/leopard-print-color9.html]wholesale maternity clothes[/url] bjorn shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/30-gucci-size12.html fashion certificate [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=551]gucci scarf handbag[/url]

June 02, 2010 5:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

itemizing travel on federal tax return http://xwl.in/inn/comfort-inn-anchorage gwv and travel and boston
[url=http://xwl.in/plane-tickets/russia-travel-hotels-international-plane-tickets]travel permit[/url] travel washington dc [url=http://xwl.in/maps/dungeon-explorer-maps]dungeon explorer maps[/url]
travel europe without a passport http://xwl.in/tour/ozzy-osbourne-setlists-2007-tour
[url=http://xwl.in/tourist/australian-visa-tourist]american express gold card travel[/url] bobbin lace travel pillow [url=http://xwl.in/tourist/farm-based-tourist-attraction]farm based tourist attraction[/url]
travel agency specialised in ukraine http://xwl.in/vacation-packages barbados travel bureau [url=http://xwl.in/airport/rome-italy-city-map-da-vinci-airport]rome italy city map da vinci airport[/url]

June 03, 2010 9:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

texas lottery official http://wqm.in/blackjack_memory-cards-samsung-blackjack joker comedy club milwaukee
[url=http://wqm.in/joker_jack-nicholson-as-the-joker]bc children hospital lottery[/url] gambling lessons [url=http://wqm.in/poker-online_best-starting-poker-hand]best starting poker hand[/url]
free bingo downloads http://wqm.in/jokers_running-jokers
[url=http://wqm.in/betting_betting-line-2007-formula-one-race-brasil]gtrack lottery tracking program[/url] best video keno games casino [url=http://wqm.in/baccarat_baccarat-crystal-cats]baccarat crystal cats[/url]
good and evil joker jester http://wqm.in/keno_video-keno-30-days-free-trial casino gambling online poker uk [url=http://wqm.in/joker_jack-nicholson-as-the-joker]jack nicholson as the joker[/url]

June 09, 2010 1:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

best internet casino play casino blackjack http://lwv.in/betting/where-can-i-find-the-betting-spread-for-nfl-games jupiters casino
[url=http://lwv.in/poker-online/dennison-poker-chip]pathological gambling treatment[/url] horizon casino lake tahoe [url=http://lwv.in/casino-online/finger-lakes-casino]finger lakes casino[/url]
wi lottery numbers http://lwv.in/joker/cheats-for-dqm-joker-how-to-get-king-slime
[url=http://lwv.in/baccarat/history-of-baccarat-crystal]playing cards joker bauer[/url] big casino jimmy eat world [url=http://lwv.in/baccarat/baccarat-greenwich]baccarat greenwich[/url]
football bowl game betting line http://lwv.in/online-casinos/all-no-deposit-bonus-casinos-for-us-players bahamas casinos [url=http://lwv.in/online-casino/zz-tops-spotlight-29-casino]zz tops spotlight 29 casino[/url]

June 11, 2010 6:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

bittorrent download movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_one_man_and_his_dog/]one man and his dog[/url] printable horror movie trivia http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_hellraiser_iii_hell_on_earth/ classic movie clubs
teagan free movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_lost_battalion/]the lost battalion[/url] naruto shippuden movie stream http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_albert_fish_in_sin_he_found_salvation/ dodge ball movie
superbad full movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_time_machine/]the time machine[/url] tout est calme movie
deerhunter movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_guru/]the guru[/url] movie moster http://moviestrawberry.com/countries/?page=98 letter from heaven flash movie
the logo of school of rock the movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_metropolis/]metropolis[/url] the core movie review http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_pluto_s_fledgling/ newtown movie theaters

July 11, 2010 2:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

spice girls wannabe sheet music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-los-rakas-181750-1/]Los Rakas[/url] dave press music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-s-club-junior-17-1/ custom music
dawg the bounty hunter music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-fences-155123-1/]Fences[/url] funny music stinky ho http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-renk-12-1/ music instrument recorder manufacturers
ill fashion design music school [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-daryl-stuermer-17639-1/]Daryl Stuermer[/url] daniel johnston music
road runner music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-lewis-keykay-127464-1/]Lewis Keykay[/url] bill bailey part troll music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-outbreak-6-1/ bullworth music
hip hop music with teenagers [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-mastermind-38021-1/]Mastermind[/url] how did slave music in early america form music today http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-subtronix-28-1/ scary theme music

July 16, 2010 12:59 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home