Malacanang has finally approved the release of the exchange of text messages or SMS conversations between President Aquino and resigned Philippine National Police chief General Alan Purisima.
The President himself gave his consent to a request from the Senate concerning the release of transcriptions of his SMS conversations with Purisima during the early hours of January 25.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte said that the President was for the pursuit of justice and has “a strong commitment to the truth.”
“President Aquino has been unwavering in his support for truth-seeking regarding the Mamasapano incident, and encourages any action that would contribute to arriving at the truth at the soonest possible time,” Valte said in a statement released on Friday, March 20, 2015.
Valte said the President’s giving of consent for the release of the exchange of his text messages with General Purisima was “in keeping with upholding the dignity of the office and maintaining the principle of separation of powers and respect for a co-equal branch of government.”
“We therefore leave it to the responsible members of Congress to arrive at a methodology that will aid their investigation, bearing in mind that the inquiry should remain focused on its primary mission: to uncover the truth,” Valte said.
“In this manner, the process will not be abused by those who might be inclined to take advantage of the occasion to advance personal motives,” she added.
The President consent to release his text messages with Purisima came almost a month after the latter had shared the text messages he had sent to the President during the Senate investigation last February 23.
It also came after the Senate had released its report on the Mamasapano incident that pinned the blame on the President as being ultimately responsible for the tragic incident that killed 44 members of the PNP- Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).
It also came a day after a Pulse Asia survey report was published saying that eight out of 10 Filipinos was dissatisfied with the President’s explanation regarding his participation in the Mamasapano incident.
The nationwide survey, conducted from March 1 to 7, used face to face interviews of 1,200 respondents where they were asked this question: “In your opinion, is the national administration’s explanation, particularly that of President Aquino regarding the Mamasapano operation, enough or not enough?’’