As the House of Representatives continued to draw flak for its planned congressional inquiry of the OCTA Research Group, the chairman of the House Committee on Good Government assured fairness and objectivity in the conduct of the probe.
DIWA Partylist Rep. Michael Aglipay said the findings of the House panel will be based on the fair assessment of the evidence and testimonies presented before his committee during the hearings.
Aglipay made the assurance in response to criticisms directed towards the authors of the resolution calling for the investigation of OCTA Research.
Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez opposed House Resolution 2071 that sought an inquiry into the “ qualifications, methodologies, partnership and composition” of OCTA Research.
“It will just distract OCTA from its work. It will not contribute to our collective effort to fight the rampaging new coronavirus and its highly infectious variants,” said Rodriguez in a statement.
On the other hand, Senator Richard J. Gordon also objected to what many believed as a “harassment” probe of the OCTA Research.
Gordon said there appeared to be ‘dubious motives” to the Lower House probe “in the light of the high level of accuracy shown by” the COVID-19 forecast made by OCTA Research.
“Which brings us to question; “Is OCTA being punished for being right?” asked Gordon.
` Aglipay retorted by telling Gordon that he will not “prejudge the motives of the authors or merits of the subject of the inquiry.” `
He vowed to judge OCTA Research “fairly as a competent and fair chair of the blue ribbon committee.”
HR 2071 filed by Deputy Speakers Bernadette Herrera (BH Partylist) , Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA Partylist) and Kristine Singson Meehan (2nd District, Ilocos Sur); Deputy Majority Leader Jesus “Bong” Suntay (4th District, Quezon City) and Deputy Minority Leader Stella Luz Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City).