In an interview, Whipps said he is repeating his call because he believes that he has a duty to do so as representative of the people.
Whipps said that either the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs chaired by Sen. Joel Toribiong or the Ways and Means Committee headed by Sen. Mark Rudimch can initiate a public hearing to shed light on the matter.
“There are lingering doubts and there are many “unanswered” questions and issues surrounding the case,” he pointed out.
Whipps said those “issues” include whether the “firing” of erstwhile Assistant AG Nelson Werner, has connection to the case, the President’s reported interference in the case, his alleged “running” of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the lack of independence of the said office.
Whipps said that the committee that will conduct the hearing should invite all those involved in the case.
He said these may include AG Ernestine Rengiil, Werner, witnesses, and defense lawyers.
“A public hearing is good for everyone involved in the case. If the AG attends and explains the reason why they dropped the case, people will understand,” Whipps pointed out. If they don’t attend and explain people will continue to wonder.”
Earlier, Whipps made the same call in light of the “questionable” dismissal from the case of several individuals close to Pres. Toribiong.
Citing insufficiency of evidence, the AGO early this month dropped all charges against two of the six defendants- Senate President Mlib Tmetuchl and Lucius Malsol, who is a brother of Pres. Toribiong.
But the call of Whipps at that time was not heeded by Toribiong and Rudimch who said that it is improper for the Senate to “question” the decision of the AGO.