EO 464

October 1st, 2005 at 8:28 am (General, National Politics)

So the Palace has curbed the ability of the Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) to call upon just about any cabinet member or military official for a Congressional Hearing “in aid of legislation.”

I was not able to find the full text of EO 464, but according to the government’s official website:

…Executive Order 464 which bars Cabinet members and other senior government officials, including members of the armed services, from appearing in congressional investigations unless authorized by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo….


According to the administration (defenders), the EO was made to prevent the Congress from “abusing” their powers. Allegedly, the Senate unnecessarily bullied Sec. Norberto Gonzales into having a heart attack. (Personally, I say merese to Sec. Gonzales.) They say the legislators have a tendency to attack government executive officials during the hearings. Although I might agree that most legislators do grandstand most of the time and waste the time on unnecessary and stupid questions, I do think that it is part of their job description. Even if they abused their “powers”, I don’t think it’s a good enough reason for the administration to try to control or suppress the truth.

EO 464 only gives me (and the public) the perception that the administration is indeed keeping a lot of skeletons, hidden wealth, illicit dealings and secrets. Although it might be constitutional (a very debatable point), it does the President no good. If indeed she has nothing to hide, why prevent people from testifying for her innocence (if she is indeed innocent). She has only managed to make people more suspicious. And thus, more eager to know the truth. She is, in a way, giving a reason for the people to rise up against her.

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8 Comments

  1. Major Tom said,

    October 4, 2005 at 12:00 am

    Indeed, the issuance of E.O. 464 seems to have only showed that the administration have finally lost whatever composure it has. Some say that said law has constitutional basis, but whether this is true or not, the said E.O. still looks and feels awkward and strange. It should be repealed by all means for it does not belong to a democratic country like ours.

  2. SEFF said,

    October 10, 2005 at 8:48 pm

    E.O. 464 is unconstitutional in nature, we have a separation of powers; duty of congress to ask in legislative inquiry matter that are mind-boggling in public interest, issuing this E.O will disrupt the proceedings of congress from the said inquiry. therefore, executive body is interfering the business of legislature. where is democracy and separtion of powers here?

  3. athena said,

    October 11, 2005 at 3:42 am

    im in favor for that e.o 464 in order that the senate and congress would not brought a distructive issue that may cause for a turmoil in our country. instead of treating the matters that would not bring good to our country they must do their unfinished and unclear bill.

  4. Major Tom said,

    October 13, 2005 at 9:47 pm

    In this manner, E.O. 464 is so antithetical to the ideals of democracy and it is a specie of law that is more akin to those found in autocratically governed society, like say Russia and China. At most, I find this present government to be flinging away the public’s sentiment as easy as eating hotcake, and soon I think the people’s patience may just break, and make this government regret its own excesses.

  5. ern banawa said,

    October 13, 2005 at 10:56 pm

    Greetings!

    I just came direct from your blog. I’m looking where can I post my questions regarding blogging but I think this email is good enough.

    I’m doing an article about blogging as online voice for political/corporate views of technosavvy and not so peeps.

    If you dont mind, can you tell me how long have you been blogging? and also, how do you see the trend of blogging changing or affecting the exchange of political information in the country? or even affecting journalism in a way. So far, from your experience, how does blogging help disseminate information compared with the traditional journalism.

    I chanced a CNN program branding blogging as the fifth estate, can you say something about it.

    Pardon for the barrage of questions, but if you can say something about those question, I would be glad to read them. my blogsite is http://www.ernbanawa.blogspot.com

    ern banawa

  6. John Rivero said,

    October 16, 2005 at 5:19 am

    The president is so unfair about what she is doing to us !!!!!!!!!

  7. king ronald m. garcia said,

    February 7, 2006 at 1:52 am

    Greetings of Love, hope and peace.

    The EO is something like a watchdog… guarding all the presidents hidden agenda in regards with her cabinet members! Its not only unfair… its injustice! A so-called “power” that humiliates the ends of the Congress!

    Thanks!

  8. glen said,

    March 5, 2006 at 12:56 am

    I THINK EO 464 GLORIA ABUSING HIS POWER TO HIDE THE TRUTH ONE THING I CAN SAY TO ALL OF THEM GO TO HELL…

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