The commission would submit its findings to President Aquino, to Congress and to the Office of the Ombudsman.


The Truth Commission would have coercive powers and could subpoena witnesses and take their testimonies and administer oath. Public officials who refused to cooperate and obey the subpoena would be subjected to administrative action while the private individual, who did the same would be dealt accordingly with the law.


The Truth Commission should accomplish its mission up to Dec. 31, 2012.


However, on July 26, 2011, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled with finality that Aquino's Executive Order 1 creating the Philippine Truth Commission was unconstitutional, upholding its earlier decision, junking the government's appeal that sought the reversal of the Court's decision.


The Supreme Court noted that the Truth Commission was unconstitutional as it "violates the equal protection clause of the 1987 Constitution" by focusing on one administration.




References 

<ol style="margin-top:-9px;margin-left:-20px;">
<li>
Philippine News Agency archives
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/26/high-court-rules-finality-truth-commission-unconstitutional-169095" target="_blank" class="news_link" title="Sunstar">Sunstar, Tuesday, July 26, 2011</a>
</li>
</ol>

July 30, 2010: the Truth Commission was created