Sen. Koko Pimentel Denies Influence of Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte over him
KOKO PIMENTEL – The Senator declared that he is no longer a supporter of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte now and they are no longer close.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are having an investigation on the war on drugs of the Duterte administration. The lower chamber was the first to conduct a hearing but the former President has not graced at least one of its hearings with his presence.
For its first Senate hearing on the war on drugs, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte appeared at the upper chamber. Prior to his attendance at the hearing, Senator Bato dela Rosa confirmed that Duterte will attend the Senate hearing on his admin’s drug war.
Dela Rosa led the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration. The government and the PNP worked hand-in-hand in the implementation of the war on drugs.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa previously expressed his desire to launch a probe on the Duterte drug war but it only received criticisms from the public as he is also surrounded by accusations being the then-PNP chief. Senate President Chiz Escudero announced that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will spearhead the hearings.
Sen. Koko Pimentel presided the Senate hearing over the Duterte admin’s war on drugs. According to the Senator, there might be three (3) hearings over the issue. They have invited several resource persons and he assured that the hearing will push through with or without the former President.
Meanwhile, Duterte came into the Senate hearing. He had revelations as well as admissions. According to the former President, he only did what he needed to do and his war on drugs was to protect the Filipinos and the country. He admitted ordering cops to encourage criminals to fight back.
Following the hearing, Sen. Koko Pimentel spoke on his ties with former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The two (2) politicians were previously under the same party, the PDP-Laban, but an intra-party issue came in. Pimentel was also a Duterte supporter.
However, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Sen. Koko Pimentel declared that he is no longer a supporter of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte now and the former Chief Executive has no influence over him. He also stressed that they have no communication.
“I’m no longer his supporter now… So we have our political differences. We do not communicate. Hindi na kami close. And he has absolutely zero influence over me especially on the way I think,” Pimentel said.
According to Sen. Pimentel, when he will write a committee report, the past relationship and dealings as well as the present disputes will not affect his way of thinking. He stressed that he will follow the evidence. To this, the former Chief Executive nor his camp has yet to issue a statement.
Duterte had several revelations at the Senate hearing. He also claimed that a drug den was allegedly raided inside the Malacañang. Pres. Bongbong Marcos refused to comment on Duterte’s remarks.