Uncovering the truth behind the alleged hidden wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte and members of his family through a Senate investigation is unlikely to happen as the latter is not the proper body to handle such issues, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Monday.
“Senate is not the body for that. We are part of legislative action,” Pimentel said.
The Senate President is not keen in bringing the issue to the Senate as it could also be turned into a publicity stunt.
“If this is part of just making this issue land in the news, then this should not be allowed. It will be a tragic waste of time by the Senate,” he said.
Pimentel’s statement came after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Sunday said that he is set to ask the Senate to probe the bank documents of president Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“I am accepting President Duterte’s challenge to investigate his alleged ill-gotten wealth to once and for all reveal the truth on this issue. The public wants to know the truth and it’s in the hands of the Senate to uncover it,” Trillanes said.
Pimentel responded that if Trillanes has solid evidence against the Dutertes on their alleged hidden wealth, he should bring the case in the proper body, and not in the Senate.
Last year, Trillanes also called on the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the alleged involvement of the president’s son and son-in-law, Paolo Duterte and Manases Carpio, respectively, in the drug smuggling mess at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR o2/ 05 /18)