Sen. Koko Pimentel Speaks on Duterte Drug War Investigation in the Senate
KOKO PIMENTEL – The Senator stressed that the Senate drug war probe will push through with or witrhout the attendance of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Parallel to the investigation of the House Quad Committee in the House of Representatives, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to start its probe on the drug war of the previous administration. The Senate has invited former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte as one of the resource speakers in the probe.
Aside from the former President who was the Chief Executive during the intense drug war campaign in the Philippines, former Senator Leila de Lima was also invited by the upper chamber. She is one of the staunch critics of the anti-drugs campaign of the Duterte administration.
Previously, Sen. Bato dela Rosa confirmed the attendance of former Pres. Duterte into the Senate drug war probe. The Senator was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the term of former Pres. Duterte.
The Duterte admin and the PNP worked together in the war on drugs. Ahead of the Senate inquiry, Sen. Bato dela Rosa previously expressed having no regrets in being part of the Duterte drug war. According to the former PNP Chief, force was needed in fighting the war against the illegal substance.
There are deaths linked to the drug war. According to the Senate, the relatives of the alleged victims of the campaign will be invited in the hearing. Senate President Chiz Escudero previously announced that Sen. Koko Pimentel will preside in the probe.
Recently, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel stressed that the drug war probe will push through with or without the presence of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, the Senator stressed that he has invited a lot of resource persons and witnesses.
“Sa dami naman ng aming imbitadong resource person at witnesses pumunta man si former president Duterte o hindi, tuloy ang hearing,” Sen. Koko Pimentel said.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the drug war probe is set to begin today, October 28, 2024. Based on the report, there might be three (3) hearings that will be for the drug war investigation.
“Depende sa flow. Marami ako di naaaccomoodate na guest sigurado may second hearing na. Puwedeng may spillover, may loose ends [o] may gusto pa itahi, kailangan ko ng third hearing,” he said.
The statement of Sen. Koko Pimentel came after another absence of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the House QuadComm hearing over his admin’s war on drugs. According to the former President, he is not feeling well.