Up to Dela Rosa, Go to inhibit from Senate drug war probe - Pimentel

Metro Manila, Philippines — It is up to two former Duterte administration officials now sitting as senators to inhibit themselves from the drug war probe, Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee chairperson Koko Pimentel told NewsWatch Plus on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Pimentel acknowledged the involvement of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the bloody drug campaign when he was national police chief, and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go as former President Rodrigo Duterte’s trusted aide, but the choice to inhibit should come from them in line with Senate rules against prohibiting members from attending public hearings.

“Kung kami na ang nagbawal sa kanila, exclusion na ‘yun. Medyo pantay-pantay lang kami d’yan sa Senado. Hindi ako mas mataas sa kanila o mas powerful sa kanila na i-exclude ko sila sa hearing,” said Pimentel.

[Translation: If we were to ban them, that would be exclusion. We are equals in the Senate. I am neither higher nor more powerful than them to exclude them from the hearing.]

The National Union of People’s Lawyers has criticized the Senate probe, describing it as a “platform for those involved and the accused.” However, Pimentel noted the right of each senator to participate in all proceedings.

“Binigyan sila ng mandato ng taong bayan to be senators. Pantay-pantay ang aming rights and privileges,” he said.

[Translation: They have the people’s mandate as senators. We have equal rights and privileges.]

Pimentel said each senator had a time to ask questions, adding that he invited colleagues to submit questions directed at Dela Rosa.

“Kung 10 minutes ang binigay ko kay Bato, 10 minutes din yung binigay sa iba… Pantay-pantay po tayo… pwede naman tanungin si Bato actually. Kung meron silang gustong itanong ko kay Bato, isulat kasi nila, bigyan nila ako ng katanungan,” Pimentel said.

[Translation: If I gave Bato 10 minutes, I gave others the same. We are all equal... They can actually ask Bato questions. If there’s something they want me to ask him, they should write it down and give it to me.]

The senator said it is essential to respect the public mandate for all elected officials.