Liars and the Senate

There is a reason why people should not lie in the Senate. You are merely invited as a resource person and not an accused or accuser because the purpose of one's testimony is "in aid of legislation." Telling the truth is primordial because the truth will help our Senators make better laws (that is their job really). In fact, people who are afraid to tell the truth for fear of retribution can always request for an executive session if a public hearing is too much pressure for a resource person to bear.

I remember when Napoles was invited to the Senate. At that time, they all knew she would not be giving any confessions or admissions. But they invited her anyway because most of them wanted to crucify her. And the ratings will be tremendous. After getting "right against incrimination" answers from Napoles, they all concluded that she perjured herself. So, when she finally executed the affidavits this time naming names, the Senate did not call her again. For them, she has already perjured and PNoy already called her a liar for implicating his friends.

Honestly, Napoles did not commit perjury. When she said that she is invoking her right against self-incrimination, she was not lying. She was just being honest in saying that her answer might put her in jail. A right available even to a person that is not accused in a case. But the Senate was no longer interested in what she has to say. For them, she was no longer credible.

Here comes Lascañas. A resource person who has given two opposing and conflicting statements. He did not give a "right to self-incrimination" response that should have been forgivable. He flat out lied, whichever version may be true. A man who admits to killing for money not lying for money because he is now telling the truth. A person who kills for cash will not lie for cash. And the Senate is giving him a podium to speak.

CBCP, are you honestly taking this sitting down?

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