Senate Blue ribbon "sub-committee" bars presentation of evidence proving witness Ernesto Mercado lied

Several medical documents showing former Makati vice mayor and now star whistle blower of the Senate Blue ribbon sub-committee Ernesto Mercado going to a hospital for checkups for his reported health condition were shown by Atty. JV Bautista yesterday before Senate reporters.

This vital pieces of evidence refuted what Mercado dared the sub-committee last October 22--that he will strike out everything he told the sub-committee should the Binay camp show proof that he was hospitalized in "whatever clinic or hospital" in the Philippines.

Though refused to present such vital evidence that proves how Mercado had lied before the Senate, JV Bautista went to the public and presented the evidence.

The documents came from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) medical center which showed Mercado going there twice, October 1 and 4, 2014 for apparently medical checkups. Based on reports, Mercado is suffering from an enlarged aorta, an illness which he contracted due to his heavy drinking apparently.

Several sources also attested that Mercado is an inveterate gambler and womanizer.

Now that there is proof of Mercado lying before the chamber, one principle of law says that one lie invalidates all other points given by the person testifying.

This vital proof should have been shown before the Senate sub-committee, but what these three senators did was outright discourtesy.

They barred JV Bautista and UNA interim president Toby Tiangco from presenting what could probably be a game-changer in this extended persecution, err, hearing against Vice president Jejomar Binay.

I thought that this hearing is all about "uncovering the truth"? Those medical records show that Mercado lied, something which affects his integrity as a witness. How then will we believe in whatever this witness is saying when even in telling us, the listening publics, his true medical condition, he lies?

Worse, this barring of Bautista and Tiangco just prove how partial this hearing has become, something which is not the real intention for hearings. Senate hearings are supposed to unravel what truly happened. With the integrity of this witness shattered, why pursue this hearing which cost taxpayers' money?