Hontiveros: Drug war probe should be by Committee of the Whole

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

In a radio interview, Hontiveros acknowledged the importance of knowing the truth about the extra-judicial killings during the drug war, especially for the families of the victims. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Thursday a Senate inquiry on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs should be conducted by the Committee of the Whole and not just by a single committee.

In a radio interview, Hontiveros acknowledged the importance of knowing the truth about the extra-judicial killings during the drug war, especially for the families of the victims.

“So, ipapanukala ko po sa Senate leadership na magkaroon ng Senate Committee of the Whole kung saan buong Senado ang mag-iimbestiga sa war on drugs ng nakaraang administrasyon (I will propose to the Senate leadership to have a Senate Committee of the Whole where the entire Senate will investigate the war on drugs of the previous administration),” she said.

“Dahil sa pamamagitan niyang Senate Committee of the Whole, umaasa ako na mas panatag at mas ma-eengganyo rin na sumali at tumestigo ang victim-survivors ng war on drugs (Because through the Senate Committee of the Whole, I am expecting that the victim-survivors of the war on drugs would be more assured and more encouraged to join and testify).”

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa earlier said he would lead the investigation as the chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

Hontiveros, however, said that the advantage of the Senate Committee of the Whole is that senators would have equal rights to investigate the issue.

“At yun na nga, sa halip na isa sa aming mga senador ay mag-che-chair ng aming committee, Committee of the Whole, yung Senate President po ang magdidinig o ang mag-chair (So, instead of one among us chairing our respective committees, it would be the Senate President who will hear or preside over the Committee of the Whole),” she said.