Respect due an ex-president in Senate hearing – Escudero

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senators expect former President Rodrigo Duterte to attend Monday’s hearing on his controversial anti-drug campaign and he will be accorded the respect due a former chief executive.

“Syempre dahil dati siyang pangulo, inaasahang ko na sa parte ng mga miyembro ng Senado bibigyan siya ng karampatang paggalang. Hindi lamang bilang tao, hindi lamang bilang Pilipino pero bilang dating Pangulo ng ating bansa,” Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a press conference on Tuesday.

[Translation: Of course, since he was previously president, I expect that the members of the Senate will give him the appropriate respect. Not just as a person, not just as a Filipino, but as a former president of our country.]

Asked if this means Duterte could avoid questions from lawmakers, Escudero said, “Ayokong pangunahan pero inaasahan ko na magkakaroon ng pagtatanong (I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I expect there will be questions).”

In response to another question about whether Duterte could be cited for contempt, Escudero said he does not expect that to happen.

“Ayokong pangunahan pero wala akong nakikitang dahilan sa ngayon para gawin o mangyari ang ‘yan dahil ang inaasahan ko magkakaroon ng maliwanag, payapa, at komprehensibong palitan ng pananaw at pagbibigay ng impormasyon na hindi kailangang dumating sa anumang away, bangayan, o init ng ulo,” Escudero said.

[Translation: I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I don't see any reason at the moment for that to happen because I expect there will be a clear, peaceful, and comprehensive exchange of views and information without any conflicts, arguments, or heated moments.]

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who launched the war on drugs as then Philippine National Police chief, told his colleagues that Duterte will attend the hearing on Monday, Oct. 28.

“The former president told me that he is going to attend the Senate hearing regardless of who is presiding,” Dela Rosa said. He initially planned on leading the probe as chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, but Escudero asked him to step back to avoid allegations of partiality.

Duterte’s legal counsel, Martin Delgra III, earlier informed the House of Representatives that the former president could attend its hearing after Nov. 1. NewsWatch Plus has sought comment regarding Duterte’s supposed commitment to attend the Senate hearing on October 28.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will lead the investigation as chairman of a subcommittee under the Blue Ribbon committee. He said he has been tasked with investigating the country's anti-drug campaign to the present, amid allegations of ongoing abuses and even killings.