No Duterte attendance confirmation on EJK probe - House quad panel

Metro Manila, Philippines — Lawmakers called off a House probe on the deadly drug war for Wednesday, Nov. 13, without confirmation from former President Rodrigo if he would attend the hearing.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has not sent a letter confirming his attendance to the House quad committee probing extrajudicial killings (EJK) linked to his war on drugs, the panel chairpersons said on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The four House committees canceled their Nov. 13 hearing due to vetting of resources persons. Later in the evening, former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo went live on social media and said Duterte will face the lawmakers.

“We appreciate the fact that pupunta ang ating dating pangulo dahil ‘yun ang request ng ating mga kasamahan sa quad-comm na magkaroon ng talakayan, magkaroon ng palitan ng idea tungkol dito sa usapin ng EJK at usapin sa drugs kung saan centerpiece ng kampanya ng dating administrasyon,” said overall chairperson and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers in a press briefing.

[Translation: We appreciate the fact that our former president will attend because that is the request of our fellow quad-comm members – to have a discussion, exchange of ideas on the issue of EJK and illegal drugs which were the centerpiece of the previous administration’s campaign.]

He added that they are not cowards, contrary to comments of social media users.

“Kung wala naman talagang direct statement ang ating former president na darating siya ay tingin ko, tingin namin ay propaganda lang ang lumalabas sa internet, sa social media na darating siya,” Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun said.

[Translation: If there is no direct statement from the former president that he will attend, we think what airs on social media is just propaganda.]

Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua explained the probe cannot proceed after cancelation notices were sent to resource persons, and that it would take three days' notice for invitations.

1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Rodriguez, meanwhile, noted the importance of Duterte’s presence in the investigation as his remarks in the Senate have “left more questions than answers.”

Panelo, however, said he and Duterte will storm to the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Wednesday to confront the lawmakers.

The quad panel set its next hearing for Nov. 21.