Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Speaks on Probe Led by Sen. Imee Marcos over Duterte Arrest
IMEE MARCOS – Senate President Chiz Escudero announced that the cabinet officials will attend the 3rd Senate inquiry to be led by the Senator over the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The Philippines is currently experiencing political turmoil following the arrest of former Pres. Duterte. He was arrested by the authorities of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last March 11 and his custody was transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte is currently detained in the Hague Penitentiary Institution. His daughter, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, has just returned to the Philippines from The Hague after more than three (3) weeks of stay in the Netherlands. She set the legal team of her father before she returned to the country.
Vice Pres. Duterte previously expressed her gratitude to Sen. Imee Marcos for leading a Senate investigation on the arrest of her father. The Senator said she cannot accept what was done to the former President.
Sen. Marcos left the Alyansa Para Sa Pagbabago which is led by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. According to the lawmaker, the recent actions of the government allegedly do not align with her ideals and principles in life. She hopes for the immediate return of the former President.
On the first hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, several government officials and cabinet members appeared at the inquiry. Ahead of the second hearing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin sent Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero and Sen. Imee Marcos a letter informing them of the absence of the cabinet officials.
Bersamin stressed that all the matters that are excluded from the executive privilege have been discussed. Sen. Marcos accused the cabinet officials of allegedly “hiding truths” using the executive privilege. Recently, based on a report on PhilStar, Senate Pres. Escudero revealed that he initiated a communication with the executive department regarding the presence of the cabinet officials.
According to the Senate Chief, the cabinet members will attend the third Senate inquiry to be led by Sen. Imee Marcos over Duterte’s arrest. Based on the report, Escudero highlighted that the hearing should not add more arguments and conflict and must be “a source of unity, healing, and deeper understanding”.
“That can only happen if the questions can be answered without the need for confrontation using executive privilege on one side, and Senate subpoenas on the other,” the Senate President said.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who spoke about her relationship with Sen. Imee Marcos now also expressed willingness to attend the Senate probe on her father’s arrest if she will be invited.