Malacañang Monday appealed to the public to give the newly created Truth Commission a chance to prove their mettle as some groups continue to doubt its constitutionality and competence.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the commission, led by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., should be allowed to show their independence and fairness in the probe into the alleged irregularities during the Arroyo government before it is dismissed as a toothless organization.

The commission, created through Executive Order No. 1, has been given until Dec. 31, 2012 to complete the investigation and recommend the necessary charges against erring public officials and their cohorts in the private sector.

Former Associate Justice Romeo Callejo Sr. agreed to join the commission while three more members of the group are expected to be appointed soon, Lacierda said.

“Ang pakiusap ko lang sa taumbayan natin bigyan ng pagkakataon ang Truth Commission na magtrabaho, ipakita na kung ano ang gagawin nila. (Our appeal to the people is to let the Truth Commission do their work, show what they will do) It will all be done in fairness. Due process will be observed,” Lacierda said over radio.

Lacierda said the Palace is optimistic that the commission would ably shed light into the numerous allegations of corruption supposedly committed by the past government. The new body is also expected to formulate its "rules of procedures" to ensure fairness to all concerned parties during the investigation, he added.

“Maraming mga kasong hindi natin nadinggan dahil lahat nga nito ay nakubli. Sa pagpasok ng Truth Commission pinagdarasal naming lahat ng may kaalaman noong nakaraang administrasyong katiwalian ay ilalahad ang katotohanan (There are many cases that were hidden from us. With the Truth Commission, let’s pray that the truth behind the corruption allegations involving the past administration will be revealed),” he said.

Lacierda also assured that the commission will not duplicate the work of the Office of the Ombudsman since the latter has other loads of corruption cases to resolve.

“It will be independent. It will not be under the dictates of the Chief Executive or the Executive branch. It will have its own rules. It will make its own decision,” he said. To keep the public informed, he said the commission could also publish “special interim reports” about their investigation from time to time.

Herminio Coloma, secretary of the Communications Group, meantime disclosed the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) will likely be abolished in light of the creation of the Truth Commission.