Premier Jiang Yi-huah today characterized as "highly regrettable" the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) actions to block the Executive Yuan from presenting its administrative policies to the Legislative Yuan.
Since the start of the current legislative session in mid-September, the opposition party has occupied the speaker's podium for four consecutive sittings, impeding proceedings and making it impossible for the premier to deliver his report or complete the interpellation session. Premier Jiang hopes the DPP will cease the filibusters that have stalled national progress and affected Taiwan's competitiveness.
When the legislative session first opened, the DPP maintained that Premier Jiang could not take the podium without apologizing for "infringing on the Constitution and causing political disorder." Today the DPP demanded another apology over the alleged Legislature wiretapping. The Executive Yuan said it will not give in to these demand tactics because the Constitution clearly states that the Executive Yuan has a duty to present a statement of its administrative policies and that lawmakers have the right to question these policies. The DPP should not occupy the floor, paralyze legislative procedures, or deprive other legislators of their rights to the interpellation process.
Regarding accusations of infringing on the Constitution, the premier has explained many times over that his comments about whether Wang Jin-pyng should keep his position as Legislative Yuan president were not intended to be critical. Jiang was merely emphasizing the fact that the Executive Yuan should be prepared for any and all possible developments.
As for allegations that the Special Investigation Division wiretapped legislators, Premier Jiang said the division mistook the Legislative Yuan's switchboard number for an individual's cell phone number during an earlier investigation. Prosecutor-General Huang Shih-ming has already issued an apology for the error. The Executive Yuan has also directed the Ministry of Justice to form a task force to look into the case and mete out punishment for any violations of law or administrative oversight. The Executive Yuan is as resolute about protecting the public from illegal surveillance as it is about fighting improper lobbying of judiciary cases.
The Executive Yuan said lawmakers wishing to critique administrative policies may do so during the question-and-answer session, but there is no reason to require an apology from the premier before allowing interpellation to begin.
The Executive Yuan also said the opposition party has made more frequent use of this tactic in recent years. They boycotted former premiers Liu Chao-hsiuan over oil and electricity price hikes, Wu Den-yih for taking a trip to Hong Kong, and Sean Chen for approving U.S. beef imports, the capital gains tax and electricity price adjustments. During the last legislative session, filibusters were also staged over the nuclear power debate and Referendum Act amendments. This kind of political bickering holds up the legislative process and impedes the execution of national policies.
Under the Law Governing the Legislative Yuan's Power, the Executive Yuan is supposed to present an administrative report to the Legislature by the end of September. Even though this date has passed, the premier will continue his attempt to deliver the report as required by the Constitution, showing up at the Legislature until the opposition ceases this manner of protest. Meanwhile, the Executive Yuan will carry on its mission raising national competitiveness and improving livelihoods, by rolling out more measures to stimulate the economy, protect the disadvantaged, cultivate workforce talent and strengthen Taiwan's cultural vitality.