The proposed amendment to allow detained resource persons in the Senate to use gadgets while in custody is expected to be finalized next week, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
“Ginagawa na namin ngayon and hopefully, by next week malabas na namin ‘yon,” Escudero stated.
(We are currently drafting it and hopefully we can release it next week.)
Escudero explained that the Office of the Senate President has the authority to issue memoranda, rules, and regulations concerning detained individuals under a warrant of arrest.
He noted that the proposed amendment would still require the approval of his colleagues.
“Of course we would have to get first the opinion of other members of the Senate. The rules were issued without being consulted to any member of the Senate as I recall being in the Senate for 14 years. I think these rules even antedated by being a senator way back in 2007. So we will do the proper and right thing, route this and get the opinion of the other members before we finalize it,” he said.
Earlier this week, Escudero visited Nancy Gamo, the accountant of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who is currently detained in the Senate. Guo, Gamo, and six others were arrested by the Senate for failing to attend its investigation into the raided POGO hub in Bamban.
Escudero shared that Gamo mentioned being “bored” inside the detention facilities, prompting him to review the rules regarding the use of cellular phones while in Senate detention.
He clarified that individuals detained by the Senate are held to compel their appearance in investigations, not as punishment for a crime.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is investigating Guo’s alleged involvement in the illegal POGO hub in her town. Guo’s citizenship is also under scrutiny due to inconsistent testimonies and questionable documents regarding her Filipino citizenship. Guo, however, denies involvement in illegal POGO activities and maintains her Filipino citizenship.