Sen. Imee Marcos Pushes Through w/ Day 2 of Senate Inquiry over Duterte Arrest
IMEE MARCOS – The Senator accused the cabinet officials of seemingly using the executive privilege in allegedly hiding truths.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte elicited different reactions even from politicians. Senate President Chiz Escudero believes that the government followed the legal process in the arrest of the former President. However, according to Senator Bato dela Rosa, Duterte’s arrest was a betrayal by Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
Dela Rosa stressed that Marcos Jr. changed his stand over the International Criminal Court or ICC issue. The President allegedly betrayed the Filipinos and the country when he allowed the government to surrender Duterte to ICC. Sen. Imee Marcos invited Sen. Bato dela Rosa in the day 2 of the investigation over Duterte’s arrest.
Prior to the Senate investigation held today, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin sent a letter to the Senate addressed to Sen. Marcos and Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero informing them about the absence of the cabinet officials in the second day of the probe. According to Bersamin, the officials have already answered the questions and discussed the matters that are not covered by the executive privilege.
Sen. Imee Marcos asked Malacañang to reconsider its decision. However, based on a report on GMA News, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said they are maintaining their stand. According to him, when they learned about the topics, they found that there are those that are covered by the executive privilege.
“Our Cabinet secretaries and other executive officers will be not forced to respond to questions concerning these matters. That’s the essence of the letter,” he said in the letter.
Based on the report, Sen. Marcos pushed through with the second day of the Senate investigation on the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. At the start of the probe, the Senator lamented on the absence of the cabinet officials. She stressed that she respects the doctrine of the executive privilege but it should not be used as a “blanket shield” to avoid the Senate and its questions.
Sen. Imee Marcos also expressed that the executive privilege is seemingly being used to hide the truths. Based on the report, she stressed that it appears like there is a cover up in what is happening.
“Hidden truths are unspoken lies. Ang katotohonang tinatago ay kasinunggalingan din. At mukhang ganon ang nangyayari ngayon sa pagtatago ng katotohan gamit ang executive privilege at subjudisye, nagmimustulan tuloy may cover-up sa mga nangyayari,” the Senator said.
Previously, Malacañang explained that there are matters that cannot be explained in public. The Palace suggested the Senator to invite other resource persons like legal experts who can explain the matters.