Senator Panfilo M. Lacson today maintained that the public hearings he presided on the controversial "red-tagging’’ issue have been fair.
‘’All sides (were) given their chance to air their concerns - contrary to the Makabayan bloc's accusations that the hearings became a venue for witch-hunting,’’ Lacson, chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, said.
He explained that the inputs gathered during the three hearings that ended yesterday would lead to legislation that seeks to address the issue.
"Just because they cannot have it themselves, the Makabayan bloc now accuses the Senate of being a 'venue for witch hunting' in our red-tagging inquiry. Looking for a scapegoat is normal for people who feel they were a bunch of losers," he said on his Twitter account.
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said the Senate panel 'has been reduced to a venue for witch-hunting.'’
Some of the rebel returnees who appeared during these public hearings said that the enemies of the state are at the House of Representatives.
Two former Party List Representatives – Neri Colmenares and Teodoro Casino – personally vehemently denied accusations that their Bayan Muna organization is a front of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
They demanded that their accusers file charges against them if there are shreds of evidence enough to indict them.