PFP lawmakers proposed yesterday setting up a special investigative committee in the legislature to probe bribery allegations in last week's confirmation vote for top government posts.
The PFP plans to officially raise the proposal for discussion during the upcoming special legislative session set for July 15.
But the DPP and TSU rejected the idea yesterday. Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), convener of the DPP legislative caucus, said it was unnecessary for lawmakers to step in because justice authorities have started to look into the case.
Shen Chih-Hwei (沈智慧), convener of the PFP legislative caucus, argued that the establishment of an investigative committee would help answer questions surrounding the allegations. Shen also criticized the judicial system for not undertaking an independent and fair investigation.
The PFP lawmaker warned serious "constitutional problems" would result unless the case is handled properly, as the Examination Yuan is the top government agency overseeing the country's civil-service system.
While the president and vice president of the Examination Yuan should exercise their power independently, their integrity is subject to public scrutiny, Shen said.
Former interior minister Chang Po-ya (張博雅) said on Thursday that some legislators had solicited money from her in exchange for their support for her nomination for Examination Yuan vice president.
Because Chang's refusal to pay was allegedly the main reason for her failure to obtain enough votes to have her nomination approved, suspicion has been raised that money was spent to get Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) appointed to the Examination Yuan presidency.
Also, there have been accusations traded and wild guesses as to who was involved. Chang has declined to identify the legislators who allegedly sought to sell their votes.
Some TSU legislators, who voted against Chang's nomination last Friday, have become prime suspects in the case.
The TSU has denied the allegation, dismissing the charges as a conspiracy of the KMT and PFP designed to pave the way for Chang's bid to become Kaohsiung mayor.
The TSU says Chang made up the story to justify her mayoral bid.
Both the KMT and PFP have denied the TSU's allegation. In protest, the PFP yesterday threatened to boycott inter-party negotiations unless the TSU apologizes for its "groundless accusation" against the PFP.
Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄), chief executive of the PFP caucus, said the TSU shouldn't have tried to implicate the KMT and PFP just to get itself out of political turmoil.
Lo Chih-ming (
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