‘Motu proprio’
On the basis of motu proprio, (Latin for “on his own impulse”) only the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is authorized and empowered to conduct “inquiry in aid of legislation,” newly elected Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero declared. This means the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is the sole body that can act on matters without any Senate Resolution referred to it in plenary session, Escudero pointed out.
This motu proprio authority of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee also enables it to call for public hearings while sessions of both chambers of Congress are in recess, after adjournment, Escudero further cited. A veteran lawmaker, Escudero invoked the policy and tradition of the Senate that vested solely to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee such motu proprio powers to handle all matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in office by officers and employees of the government, its branches, agencies, subdivisions and instrumentalities.
A lawyer by profession, Escudero reminded his colleagues about their own Senate Rules that vested this motu proprio powers of the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, or the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for short.
It is thus considered as the most powerful body of Congress that can probe anything motu proprio.
Escudero designated Sen. Pia Cayetano, also a lawyer, to be the new Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson vice Sen. Francis Tolentino who was sworn in to become the new Senate majority leader. These changes took place after the Escudero-led Senate coup ousted erstwhile Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri last May 20, or a few days before second regular sessions of the 19th Congress adjourned sine die.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) last week confirmed Escudero gave him heads up about their Senate coup. A former Senator himself, PBBM strongly took exceptions though to Zubiri’s accusations that he is the “powers-that-be” behind the ouster plot.
Earlier, Escudero questioned in particular the motu proprio inquiry done by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. The Senate inquiry was looking
