No plans to cite ex-Pres. Duterte in contempt even if he skips drug war probe - solon

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not be cited in contempt even if he refuses to attend the House probe on his administration’s bloody drug war, the head of the mega-panel conducting the investigation said.

In a news forum on Saturday, Sept. 14, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Ace Barbers said courtesy is given to Duterte as a former chief executive.

The mega-panel has invited the former president to attend the House Quad committee (Quad Comm) hearing but he has yet to respond.

“Sa aming palagay ay karapatan po niya iyan at iyan po ay nirirespeto namin,” Barbers said.

[Translation: We believe it is his right and we respect that]

The panel head maintained it is not a form of special treatment.

The committee has cited in contempt Duterte’s former spokesperson Harry Roque twice for lying on his absence in the hearing, and for failing to submit some documents for the investigation.

“Dating pangulo ng bansa iyan ‘no and iyon nga kaya nga lagi namin in deference to the former president, we extend that courtesy only to the former president…The same courtesy that we extend to the former president will not be extended sa mga other kawani ng gobyerno,” said Barbers.

[Translation: He’s a former president and as we always say, we extend that courtesy only to the former president in deference to him…The same courtesy will not be extended to other government officials]

Barbers said the panel will be “honored” to welcome the President if he accepts their invitation.

The House Quad Comm is tasked to investigate possible links between illegal Philippine offshore gambling operators, illegal drugs, extrajudicial killings and human rights violations during Duterte’s drug war.

Based on government records, deaths related to the drug war reached nearly 6,000. Human rights groups, however, reported higher numbers - recording over 30,000 casualties.