You Want To Play The Tape?

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has this advice to congressmen who want to play the tape of the supposed conversation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano: "Memorize the transcript of the record!"

A laughable point, the ridicule directed at congressmen. Obviously, they want some spotlight on them regarding the issue because really this is outside their territory. Administration senator Miriam Santiago warns of a constitutional crisis if the House of Representatives insist in getting some answers from the President. "Wala silang kapangyarihan na magtanong sa Presidente tungkol sa isang imbestigasyon na may aspetong kriminal ... ang kapangyarihan ng Kongreso ay mag-imbestiga pero tungkol sa isang panukalang batas," Santiago says.

I agree.

But that is not to say, the President should just keep mum about this. Of course, she has to answer the question: "Was it really her? And did she really talk (with the assumption of an order to Garcillano to cheat) to Garcillano?"

Because she should. But how?

There are some suggestions that a independent committee be formed and investigate it. I like the idea. And the President should not ignore it. I think the only way this issue would disappear is if she admits (a very unlikely scenario)/deny (a very unlikely course of action) it. If she continues her silence on the issue, it will become a phantom that she can never hide from.

Second, I think the NTC should back off on its warning to media outlets not to play the recorded conversation. Wasn't it said that the best antiseptic is sunlight? Let the truth come out.