Escudero: Senate probe on Duterte arrest must not fuel discord

Senate President Francis Escudero (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday expressed support for the Senate’s authority to investigate the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte but stressed that the inquiry must serve as a means for national unity, rather than deepening political divisions.

The Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator Imee Marcos, set a hearing on Thursday to clarify the involvement and the roles of the International Criminal Court, International Criminal Police Organization and other government agencies in the arrest of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte (FPRRD) on March 11.

Marcos’ committee wants to find out if “measures were taken to ensure that the rights of FPRRD under domestic laws and relevant treaties were properly protected throughout the process,” the hearing notice said.

“Kung ang concern ni Senator Imee ay grabe na ‘yung divisiveness o pagkakawatak-watak natin, eh di sana ang maging dulo ng kanyang pagdinig ay maghilom tayo at magkaroon ng pagkaka-isang muli at hindi lalo pang dagdagan ‘yung divisiveness o pagkakaaway-away natin (If Senator Imee’s concern is that our divisiveness is getting worse, then I hope the result of the hearing is for us to heal and unite again, and not worsen the divisiveness),” Escudero said in a press briefing at the Senate.

“Kung ‘yun ang pakay niya, sang-ayon ako sa pakay na ‘yun para mabigyang linaw ang ilang katanungan na meron ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan at alinlangan o pangamba na meron sila marahil kaugnay nito (If that is her goal, I agree with that goal to clarify some of the questions that some of our countrymen have, and the doubts or fears that they may have in relation to this),” he added.

Escudero emphasized that an ongoing court case should not prevent the Senate from exercising its oversight function, citing previous Supreme Court rulings that affirm Congress’ authority to conduct inquiries independent of judicial proceedings.

He reiterated that under Senate rules, committees have the power to initiate hearings motu proprio, or on their own initiative.

Marcos’ committee hearing will summon key officials and agencies from the Philippine National Police, Office for Transportation Security, Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Security Council and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, among others.