GAFF FULL STATEMENTll concerned Filipinos:
 
  Congress was recently rocked by the revelation of two distinguished representatives from the party list involving an alleged payola which might have influenced the passage of the Omnibus Power Bill.
 
  We, the concerned Filipinos, strongly condemn any attempt to unduly influence the passage, not only of the Omnibus Power Bill, but of any bill for that matter and the subsequent actions (or inactions) of the members of Congress in treating, regarding, and considering the issue raised by such revelation.
 
  We strongly commend the two representatives in exposing this alleged bribery and the subsequent information that the elected members of Congress had been receiving, on a regular basis various excessive forms of bonus over and above their lawful remuneration and allotment.
 
  We are aware that the instant matter is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress. By reason of constitutional precepts, it is only the Congress which, on its own or through valid delegation, can inquire into and resolve this shameful payola issue. To date, however, no concrete steps had been undertaken by Congress to look    into the alleged bribery exposed by the two representatives. Isn't this lack of a sense  of urgency suspicious? After all, a grave allegation of graft and corruption in our law-making body should be considered the same way as we label devastating storms:  declare it and act on it as a state of calamity. Look at how we've quickly acted on the crisis in Mindanao. It has drawn much attention, the resolute mandate of our government, and even the aids of foreign emissaries. Why can't our government commit the same level of urgency and expediency on the alleged bribery in our Congress?
 
  We, therefore, earnestly exhort the members of the Congress to create a special and independent body that will be dedicated to seek the truth of these allegations. If the members of Congress could act swiftly and conduct a congressional hearing on trivial  matters under the guise of "aid in legislation", these serious allegations of bribery should merit immediate action as the payola issue not only tarnished the image of the Congress but that of the country as a whole. What other catalyst should we need to finally take that brave step to address this issue? What other catalyst should we need than the inherent gravity of the issue itself?
 
  We recommend that the special independent body should be free from any political partisanship and affiliations. We seek the creation of a pool of respected private citizens (not necessarily lawyers or former politicians) from which, a 25-member investigating body shall be selected either randomly or by lottery with the end in view of making its composition equally representing all sectors of society including labor, youth and the religious clergy.
 
  In addition to investigating the source of the payola, we would like to recommend that the body shall be charged with determining 1) the legality of the alleged "bonuses/gratuities" as part of a congressman's remuneration, and 2) the lack of floor debates on the issues of how NAPOCOR will be sold to private parties, particularly on whether it will be another monopoly, local ownership vs. foreign ownership, the transfer of NAPOCOR's tax liabilities and safeguards/escape clauses against cronyism, mismanagement/corruption and other safety net issues. We believe these are issues of corruption and transparency as required by IMF and the WB.
 
  It is further suggested that the body be given full subpoena powers, full and sufficient funding and the ability to meet in secrecy if necessary and under the general supervision/advise of a judge on matters of law and procedures.
 
  We strongly believe that if the present composition of the Congress is earnest in bringing out the facts and circumstances surrounding the payola issue, the members of Congress must seriously consider the creation of the special independent body. Let us not allow the Congress to sit meekly still on their hands like little children caught in their misdeed but wanting to spare themselves the punishment. Let us not allow the Congress to sit still in the hope that, in time, their Filipino constituents would settle down and finally forget their transgression. Let us not allow the Congress to 
underestimate the sense of honor and insult the intelligence of the Filipinos. To ignore or belittle or delay the lawful catharsis of this error is unforgivable.