SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said despite earlier assurances that he would show up, former president Rodrigo Duterte is unsure of attending the October 28 Senate hearing on his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
The senator will lead a Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee to probe Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which some human rights groups and political rivals have said has killed thousands of drug suspects.
The Blue Ribbon panel probes “all matters relating to, including investigation of, malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in office by officers and employees of the government.”
Former president Rodrigo Duterte
“I’ve been informed that he is not sure of attending,” Pimentel said in a text message when asked whether Duterte has confirmed his participation in the public hearing.
“But it is better [for us] to just wait for Monday so we would know if he will be there or not,” he added.
In his letter dated October 22, Pimentel informed Duterte that the committee will conduct a “motu propio inquiry in aid of legislation on the Philippine war on illegal drugs.”
“We request the presence of the former president to appear before the committee in its initial public hearing on Monday, Oct. 28 at the Senate session hall,” Pimentel’s letter read.
The former president was also asked to submit a sworn statement detailing his knowledge of or participation in the war on drugs.
Pimentel also said that Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa has no choice but to “share his experience” in the implementation of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa enforced Duterte’s war on drugs during his stint as Philippine National Police chief.
Dela Rosa said he was willing to become a resource person at the public hearing and be questioned by his fellow senators about his role in Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Senator Bato (Dela Rosa) has no choice but to share with the committee his experiences under the drug war,” he said.
Asked about the blue ribbon panel’s preparation for the impending drug war probe, Pimentel said, “Everyone is excited. We have a long list of invited guests.”
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