The Rotary Balita no. 705 (September 25, 1952)

"Before I start any speculations, however, as to the motives behind my utterances and actuations, I want to make it clear that anything I do or say shall be absolutely free from any taint of political pressure or influence and I want to assure you that, personally, I am not a politician, never have been, nor expect to be one," said Secretary of Justice Oscar Castelo. He continued that during the past few weeks, there has been manifested a wanton tendency on the part of the two Houses of our legislative department and some of their committees to embark in a series of investigations. Those investigations, he said, are aimed at finding out the truth about certain reported anomalies in the government entities concerned and to determine the person or persons responsible for the same. "Legally speaking, I do not deny the power of Congress or of its committees to conduct investigations of reported anomalies in the government," he declared. Castelo claimed that there are indications, however, that the investigations being conducted by the special committees of Congress are not entirely free from ulterior or selfish motives. He said that the only option or justification for Congress or its committees to investigate is the necessarily inquiring into facts and conditions in the exercise of its legislative functions. But these committees, he have constituted themselves as integrity boards, exercising powers that do gally belong to them, and usurping functions pertaining to another branch of government. "Why is it that the Blue Ribbon Committee or the Watch-Dog Committee or other investigating committees of Cop has so seen it fit not to conduct investigations into the anomalies and irregularities committed or imputed to members of Congress themselves?" he asked. He said that one of the basic principles underlying the system of government we have established under our Constitution is that of the separation of powers. This principle, he claimed, has been adopted necessarily to achieve efficiency but is dictated by the requirements of good government. In consonance with this principle, the executive department should be considered supreme within itself. Thus, if an official of the executive department is reported to be committing irregularities and misdeeds in office, the matter is a direct concern of the executive department itself. He said that for Congress to inquire into the actuations of an executive official is no less than undue interference in the affairs of a coordinate branch of the government. Castelo pleaded for the recognition of the true extent, purpose and scope of its power of inquiry, and a consciousness of its own restrictions. "I firmly believe that it is only by giving each other its proper due that this harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislative departments of our government may not be disrupted." he said. Castelo called on the Manila Rotary Club and all Rotary Clubs throughout the Philippines to lead in the crusade to make the people understand the situation confronting our nation. He requested that each and every Rotarian be an apostle of democracy. Earlier, during the meeting, Odette damba gave a short talk on her experience abroad. Fara Lizardo contributed two songs accompanied on the piano by Lulu Casas Leroy Young was the finemaster. Ben Legarda who claimed to be a spiritual native of Odette was fined ₱15.00. For s ting around Fara Lizardo's table, Gary Y pangco, Bill Saussotte, Doc Ayesa and Vince Bunuan were each fined P100 Fara's appearance in Lebran's "Song d Sto. Tomas" cost Tony Anton ₱20.00. Je "cigarette-ad-model" Bautista whose picture had been appearing lately in the Piedmont ads was fined the sum the packers of Piedmont Cigarettes will give him. To make sure that Rotary gets it, Go Puan Seng was named a one-man committee to contact the Bataan Cigarette and get Joe's compensation if there is any. Charlie Hollmann was fined ₱10.00 while the recent speech of Yao Shiong Shio against communism cost him ₱50.00.