Sen. Imee Marcos Expresses Disappointment over Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Allegedly Not Signing Contempt Order
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President issued a statement after Senator Imee Marcos was disappointed for his alleged refusal to sign the contempt order of special envoy on transnational crime Markus Lacanilao.
The senators have divided reactions on the controversial arrest of former Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Last March 11, upon his arrival from Hong Kong, Duterte was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and was detained at the Villamor Air Base for several hours.
On the same day that he was arrested, Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands. According to Sen. Imee Marcos, she could not believe what happened and she could not accept what was done to the former President. She launched an investigation on the matter.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte thanked Sen. Imee Marcos for leading a Senate investigation on Duterte’s arrest. According to her, it is good that the case of her father is not only talked about outside but as well as inside the Philippine government.
Sen. Imee Marcos skipped the Alyansa Para Sa Pagbabago campaign sorties following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Eventually, she left the grand alliance led by her brother, Pres. Bongbong Marcos. She claimed that the recent actions of the government do not suit her ideals and principles in life.
Recently, the Senate panel led by Sen. Imee Marcos to investigate Duterte’s arrest conducted its third hearing. Marcos cited for contempt special envoy on transnational crime Markus Lacanilao for allegedly lying over his role on the arrest of the former President.
However, according to the Senator, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero allegedly refused to sign the contempt order against Lacanilao. She is disappointed over the alleged refusal of the Senate Chief.
“As expected, Senate President Chiz Escudero refused to sign the contempt order. Just like he refused to sign the subpoenas. This time, he went even further — he ordered Lacanilao’s release, in spite of the ambassador’s blatant and repeated lies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,” Marcos said.
Recently, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero clarified his side and expressed his hope that Sen. Imee Marcos will not use the Senate for his personal intentions. Based on a report on PhilStar, the Senate chief stressed that she should be in the pursuit of unity.
“I urge Senator Marcos to refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her own personal political objectives and to instead use her name, title and influence as a bridge toward unity, not a wedge for division. Our people and our country expect and deserve no less,” Escudero said.
Based on the report, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero emphasized the Rules of the Senate. According to him, the contempt order is subject to the approval of the Senate President. According to him, he has allegedly yet to see the contempt order when Marcos flaunted it on social media and claimed that he refused to sign the order.
Recently, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, also expressed not being convinced by Sen. Imee Marcos despite the Senate probe.