Shocked and saddened by the death of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, the Senate decided on Tuesday to defer probe on the plea bargaining agreement between former military comptroller Carlos Garcia and state prosecutors.
â€The prudent to do is to postpone or defer the hearings,†Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III said on the postponement supported by majority of his colleagues.
Reyes, one of the accused in the alleged corruption in the military, died from a gunshot wound on his chest in an apparent suicide Tuesday morning in front of his mother's grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was also saddened by the 'unfortunate' demise of his friend but as head of the Senate, urged his colleagues to pursue the investigation “in aid of legislation to perform the work for the people and the nation in order to help in its development in spite of this incident.â€
â€It’s unfortunate, we are sad that this happened, but we are doing a duty, and anyone who is hailed in this Senate to answer questions must be prepared to defend himself. Of course we will not tolerate any act that will demean or inflict indignities to a member of the public who will appear before us,†Enrile said in a short message he delivered at the plenary.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former Reyes' subordinate who named the former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff as one of the top officials involved in the corruption in the military, appealed to respect the privacy of the family of Reyes.
â€First of all, I extend my condolences to the family of the late general Angelo Reyes. They need strength at this time,†Trillanes said. “Maybe for until we get to bury the departed out of respect but ultimately we have to continue with the investigation.â€
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Reyes, calling the incident a 'truly a sad episode†in the country's history. - PNA
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=37550.0