Bengzon v Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Digest
G.R. No. 89914 November 20, 1991 Padilla, J.: Facts: 1. Petitioner was one of the defendants in a civil case filed by the government with the Sandiganbayan for the alleged anomalous sale of Kokoy Romoaldez of several government corporations to the group of Lopa, a brother-in-law of Pres. Aquino. 2. By virtue of a privilege speech made by Sen. Enrile urging the Senate to look into the transactions, an investigation was conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Petitioners and Ricardo Lopa were subpoenaed by the Committee to appear before it and testify on "what they know" regarding the "sale of thirty-six (36) corporations belonging to Benjamin "Kokoy" Romualdez." 3. At the hearing, Lopa declined to testify on the ground that his testimony may "unduly prejudice" the defendants in civil case before the Sandiganbayan. 4. Petitioner filed f...