MANILA: Incoming Philippine president Benigno Aquino announced Tuesday he would set up a "truth commission" to investigate the alleged crimes of outgoing leader Gloria Arroyo and her allies.

He said the commission would look into a wide range of controversies surrounding Arroyo`s nine-and-a-half years in power, including allegations she cheated to win the 2004 presidential election.

"This truth commission is the body that I promised the people I would set up to put a closure to so many issues," Aquino told reporters a day ahead of his inauguration.

"(It) will as necessary, prepare and prosecute the cases to make sure that those who committed crimes against the people will be made to pay."

Arroyo, who is required by constitutional term limits to step down, will leave office as one of the nation`s most unpopular leaders after being hounded by accusations of vote rigging and massive corruption.

She has consistently denied any wrongdoing and avoided three impeachment attempts against her, although this was due to her party`s control of parliament.
Aquino, one of Arroyo`s fiercest critics, said the truth commission would look into "any and all" controversies surrounding the departing president.

He specifically named three issues, the first being allegations she rigged the 2004 elections.

He said the commission would also look into a 329-million-dollar Internet broadband deal with a Chinese company that was eventually derailed following accusations Arroyo`s allies had illegally profited from the planned contract.

He also said it would probe the alleged misuse by Arroyo`s political allies of a 728-million-peso (15.68-million-dollar) government fertiliser fund.

Aquino emphasised that he wanted the commission to file criminal cases as soon as it had enough evidence, rather than engaging in lengthy studies.

He said retired chief justice Hilario Davide would head the commission.

"I want an independent commission that will be beyond criticism so their findings won`t be manufactured results for political purposes, but based on solid evidence and facts," he said.

Following the announcement, Arroyo`s spokesman, Gary Olivar, repeated the president`s position that she believed any inquiry would find her innocent.

"We are confident that this commission, provided it acts with due process and provides all the necessary protection to the people being investigated, will again exonerate the president," he told AFP.

He expressed confidence in the integrity of Davide, who he recalled had sworn Arroyo into office in 2001.

Aquino rode to a landslide win in the May 10 national elections partly on a promise to fight political corruption that he said thrived under Arroyo`s reign.

Despite low popularity ratings nationwide, Arroyo won a seat in the lower house of parliament representing her home town.

Her critics have said she took the unprecedented step for a sitting president to run for a parliamentary seat partly as a political shield against any corruption probe.

Arroyo would not have immunity against prosecution, but she could use her position in Congress to rally her allies to support her in any probe, analysts said.

Aquino made the announcement about the truth commission as he unveiled his new cabinet.

BDST:1730 HRS, June 29, 2010
NJ