Former President Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed his attendance at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into the killings associated with his campaign against illegal drugs.
This confirmation came from Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
“Yes, confirmed,” Dela Rosa stated, as reported by GMA News Online. This came following a social media post showing Dela Rosa having dinner with Duterte, his partner Honeylet Avanceña, and former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, who will preside over the hearing scheduled for Monday, October 28, had earlier expressed uncertainty about Duterte’s presence due to second thoughts.
But Dela Rosa said, “The former President told me that he is going to attend the Senate hearing regardless of who is presiding.”
Dela Rosa, who served as the Philippine National Police chief during Duterte’s administration, offered to answer questions from his fellow senators regarding his role in the drug war.
“I am also offering myself as a resource person. I will be present there, not only as a member of the panel. They can ask me anything. They can interrogate me. They can interpellate me anytime they want,” he said.
The senator emphasized that he is committed to sharing the truth. “The truth is always there and will not change.” He stated that he would be straightforward and candid while addressing his accusers, given his involvement as one of the chief implementers of the drug war.
Dela Rosa assured that he would not be overly cautious about revealing the truth, as long as it is brought to light. He encouraged the public to watch the proceedings, asserting that the people deserve to know the truth about the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Senate President Francis Escudero expressed hope for a clear, comprehensive, and peaceful hearing.
“My hope is that there will be a clear, peaceful, and comprehensive exchange of views and information that will not lead to any fights, confrontations, or heated tempers,” he said.
Escudero guaranteed that there would be no special treatment during the proceedings and that the committee would extend full respect to Duterte, not just as a Filipino or a person, but as a former president of the country.
He also expressed confidence that Senators Dela Rosa and Christopher Go are aware of how to conduct themselves as members of the Senate, particularly given their involvement in the congressional probes.
As stated in the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Constitution, Escudero noted that an accused has the right to face their accusers as part of due process.
In a previous hearing conducted at the House of Representatives, the names of Senators Dela Rosa and Go were mentioned concerning an alleged reward system that incentivized extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.
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