The BJE Snafu: From Negotiators To Scapegoats?
Senator Aquilino Pimentel, the foremost promoter of Federalism and author of the speedily crafted draft of the Federal Republic of the Philippines bill, is angry at the GRP negotiators over the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity snafu.
Pimental says the revelation that Messrs. Rodolfo Garcia (a retired police general) and Hermogenes Esperon (Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and recently retired AFP chief of staff) both did not carry a ‘presidential full powers appointment’ when they negotiated, and initialed the MoA-AD, may have “usurped” authority.
So now Pimentel wants the Senate to investigate responsibility for the BJE debacle: “Lack of authority constitutes usurpation of authority which is punishable in criminal law. There is also possibility they could be charged with treason.”
Is the stage being set for the negotiators to be turned into scapegoats?
