Former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will face the Truth Commission only if the body created Friday by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III does not have any constitutional or legal infirmities.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD spokesman Raul Lambino said officials of the party, including Arroyo who is its chairman, have assured full cooperation in helping the body to arrive at the truth in connection with alleged anomalous transactions of the government.

“As her spokesperson has declared, Rep. Arroyo will face the Truth Commission. However, the former president’s lawyers should be expected to allow her to be subjecting herself under the jurisdiction of an illegal body,” said Lambino.

He added: “Doing so would constitute waiver of your constitutional rights as a Filipino citizen.”

Lambino said the opposition will “look into the parameters of authority given” the Truth Commission and will determine whether the presidential directive that created it did not violate any constitutional provisions or laws.

“If it will duplicate the function of the Ombudsman or if it is given subpoena powers, hindi pwede ito,” he explained.

Lambino predicted that the legal and constitutional infirmities of the creation of Truth Commission  will surely be brought before the courts by any concerned individual.

At a news forum on Thursday, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, brother-in-law of the former president, vowed to face the Truth Commission, saying that “we are not afraid of the truth.”

However,  the Negros Occidental solon said the commission which will be headed by former Supreme Court Justice HIlario Davide should not limit the scope of the probe to alleged wrongdoings committed during the Arroyo administration.

He said other anomalies allegedly committed by the past government, including the multi-million peso construction of access road at Hacienda Luisita should be investigated.

Hacienda Luisita is owned by the family of President Aquino.

At a news forum Thursday, Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn, spokesperson for the former president, said they welcome the creation of the Truth Commission, saying that they would fully participate because it will give Arroyo the chance to air her side on accusations that may be hurled against her.

For his part, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman aired apprehensions on the legality of the creation of the truth body.

Lagman said that aside from questions on its budgetary requirements, the Truth Commission is plagued with concerns about the acceptability by the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice of its findings in investigations conducted about  alleged anomalies committed under the Arroyo government.

“It is just a duplication (of functions).  It will only result to conviction by publicity because everytime the Truth Commission makes an action, it will be  published by you (referring to the media),” he stated.

He added: “And the possible respondents will be prematurely prejudged.  It will be a vilification campaign against the respondent.”