Duterte storms House hearing on his bloody drug war

Metro Manila, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte attended without formal confirmation a hearing of the House of Representatives on his war on drugs on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

This will be the first time Duterte will face House lawmakers during their investigation, where former and present police officers revealed bombshell testimonies on the implementation of the previous administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The former chief executive did not grant reporters an interview as he entered the halls of the Batasang Pambansa.

In a news conference on Tuesday, the House quad committee chairpersons said Duterte did not send a letter confirming his attendance. They also said they called off the Wednesday probe.

The information came after lawyer Sal Panelo, who served as Duterte’s presidential spokesperson, on Monday night announced on his Facebook account that the former chief executive would appear before the House Quad committee.

“Titingnan natin mga tapang ng kongresistang ito. Makakaharap na nila mga hinahamon nila,” Panelo earlier said.

[Translation: We will see the audacity of these congressmen. They will face those whom they are challenging.]

Duterte was undeterred on the rescheduling of the hearing and was planning to go to the Batasang Pambansa.

House quad committee co-chairperson and Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers said they decided to push through with the hearing to take advantage of Duterte’s presence.

Speaking to the media, Panelo said it was the right decision, adding this would stop the “kantiyawan [quips].”

“Nakita nila ang katuwiran na pwedeng ituloy natin dahil nandiyan naman ‘yong resource person, ang pinakamahalagang testigo ng maaaring pagkunan nila ng impormasyon,” he said.

[Translation: The lawmakers saw reason to proceed with the hearing as the resource person is already here, the most important person who could testify.]

Panelo explained that Duterte and his staff already flew to Manila Monday night.

He added Duterte would still attend the House inquiry to give respect to the institution as a former member. Duterte served as Davao City representative from 1998 to 2001.

What can we expect

Duterte skipped the Nov. 7 hearing saying he had doubts about the integrity of the quad committee. He also said that there’s nothing to add to what he told the Senate last Oct. 28. 

Former Senator Leila de Lima, who faced three drug-related cases filed by the Duterte administration, said she is “curious” and “interested” to hear what Duterte would say.

“Nandito rin po ako [I’m here] to fight his lies if he starts spurting our lies,” said De Lima, a vocal critic of Duterte’s drug war.

Panelo maintained Duterte did not make “incriminating” statements and “extrajudicial confession” at the upper chamber.

“Si Presidente Duterte hindi nagpe-prepara [Former President Duterte does not prepare] — he speaks from the heart, he speaks from his mind, he speaks from his brain, he speaks the truth about himself and about this country,” said Panelo, who would lawyer for the former president during the House committee hearing.

Official government data showed over 6,000 killing during drug operations under the Duterte administration. Human rights groups argued the number could be three times over.

Duterte is being investigated by the International Criminal Court, a court of last resort, for alleged crimes against humanity in relation to his war on drugs campaign.