A Supreme Court petition for the issuance of a gag order to stop discussion of legal issues surrounding the Truth Commission is being contemplated by the opposition to stop proponents of the body from subjecting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to trial by publicity.

Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo complained that continued discussion in the media of legal issues about the Truth Commission is unfair to his sister-in-law and officials of the previous government administration.

He pointed out that the reputation of the former administration “is being helplessly maligned” because allies of the Aquino government have been feeding media with press releases on developments about the questionable creation of the body tasked by government to investigate alleged abuses and irregularities committed by the past administration.

A gag order would put an end to speculations and talks about the Truth Commission while the High Court is studying the constitutionality of the body as sought by members of the House opposition led by Minority Leader Edcel Lagman.

Arroyo appealed to the High Court for a swift resolution of the constitutional question raised against the truth panel by the petitioners.

While backers of the Truth Commission use the media to destroy the former president’s image, she has decided to maintain her silence on the issue to show respect to the authority of the High Court to resolve the petition.

“There is still no forum for the former administration to defend itself,” said Arroyo.

Arroyo, younger brother of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, supported the SC petition filed by a group of opposition solons led by Lagman.

Citing the petition, Arroyo noted that the commission has been given the power to foot-drag in its work for 29 months, from its creation last July 30 to December 31, 2012, apparently as part of the scheme to subject the former president to trial by publicity.

“It is a virtual license to maximize partisan hostility against the respondents. An avalanche of tirades against the respondents based on the proceedings of the commission can be expected,” said the Negros Occidental lawmaker.

“The filing and prosecution of graft cases, if any, will have to wait until the commission finishes its investigation. Meanwhile, its proceedings can be conveniently used for trial and conviction by publicity of the respondents. So when will the closure process end,” Arroyo asked.

Arroyo emphasized that the former administration has nothing to fear or hide and is ready to face the commission anytime should it be allowed.

“All we’re asking for is fair play and not trial by publicity like what is happening now. All we want is a sincere and genuine closure of all the long-settled issues being endlessly revived against us,” Arroyo added.