MANILA, Philippines — It will be challenging for former president Rodrigo Duterte to retract his statements during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing regarding the killings associated with the war on drugs because he swore to all of them, Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Tuesday.
The Senate chief said this was the difference: although the former President said nothing new, he announced it in the Senate “under oath,” he spoke as far as he knew that could be used in his favor or against him.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee secretary administered the oath to Duterte before his testimony on Monday at the subcommittee investigating Motu Proprio, the alleged extra-judicial killings during his administration.
In his opening statement, Duterte defended his war against illegal drugs, which he said was not about killing people but about protecting the innocent.
“My mandate as President of the Republic was to protect the country and the Filipino people. Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies or excuses. I did what I had to,” the former chief executive said.
“My job as President was never easy… I have tried to do the best I can to address the problem of illegal drugs firmly and without compromises. For all its successes and shortcomings, I, and I alone, take full legal responsibility,” he added.
Escudero said that if you look at the video footage from Monday, you will see that Duterte was not joking about what he said.
Those around Duterte can’t say that the former president was joking, especially if the entire hearing transcript could be read without mixed emotions or feelings.
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