Senators want strict implementation of perjury laws vs lying witnesses

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Monday, May 29 joined his colleagues in expressing outrage at how people lie or perjure themselves before the Senate and government bodies. The crime of perjury crosses political lines, Zubiri said as Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva referred to the Senate justice and public order committees the observation of Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano that the crime of perjury is being taken for granted. Cayetano cited the cases of the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo where four witnesses recanted their  testimonies at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the P6-billion "shabu" affair where policemen refused to answer senators’ questions. The Senate committee on public order chaired by Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had cited in contempt several policemen for perjury in the Degamo case and for refusing to answer questions by citing their constitutional right against self incrimination on the P6-billion drug case. They had been detained at the Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA), an air-conditioned custodial center located at the basement of the Senate. Senator Risa Hontiveros also thanked her colleagues for mentioning the case of former senator Leila de Lima where witnesses against her recanted their statements. Cayetano said the US Congress is hard on a perjurer by citing in contempt the violator or the case is sent to the Attorney General’s office. Senators said what is needed is the strict implementation of laws on perjury and not increased penalties. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda lamented that laws are not respected. Some officials of government agencies do not realize the existence or understand current laws. Dela Rosa said the last Congress approved the law increasing the penalty of perjury from four months to two years, to six years to eight years. Senator Robinhood C. Padilla said punishment should be severe on government personnel, particularly policemen, who have taken their oath before the Philippine Constitution and to God. Zubiri had revealed that he has already made provisions for the reconstruction of a warehouse into a custodial center for those cited in contempt. Asked if this center is air-conditioned, Zubiri replied ’’Yes’’ because the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) might get angry.