Duterte: Risa Hontiveros Threatens to Hold Former President in Contempt

Risa Hontiveros Considers Filing Contempt Charge Against Duterte for his Offensive Language

DUTERTE – Senator Risa Hontiveros threatened to hold former president Rodrigo Duterte in contempt for his offensive language.

If former president Rodrigo Duterte resorts to foul language during the upcoming Senate hearing regarding his controversial drug crackdown, Senator Risa Hontiveros will not hesitate to hold him in contempt.

Hontiveros criticized Duterte’s behavior during Monday’s hearing, where he used profanity and aggressively pointed at senators who questioned his alleged extermination policy for drug suspects. She stated, “How very rude,” emphasizing that Duterte should act appropriately as a guest in the Senate and adhere to parliamentary decorum.

In an interview with The Philippine STAR’s online show “Truth on the Line,” Hontiveros noted, “Duterte’s rudeness and shamelessness are the worst I’ve seen from a resource person.” When asked if the Senate would cite him for contempt if he behaves similarly again, she responded, “If push comes to shove, that is always among the broad powers of the committee – to cite a resource person for unruly behavior.” Being held in contempt could lead to detention.

Hontiveros insisted that no one, not even a former president, is above the law in the investigation into extrajudicial killings related to Duterte’s drug war.

However, according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, there’s a possibility that Duterte may not be invited to the next hearing due to his admission under oath of organizing the Davao Death Squad (DDS). Pimentel, who chaired the previous hearing, mentioned that there currently seems to be no necessity for further questioning unless other senators express a need.

He noted, “We have a lot of material to work with. Let the material stay. Let criminal law experts study very well the material with the committee.” As of now, no date has been set for the next hearing.

The nine-hour hearing on Monday was overshadowed by Duterte’s profanities, which drew applause from his supporters, prompting Pimentel to warn them that continued disruptions would lead to their removal.

Hontiveros accused Duterte of attempting to “hijack” the Senate investigation with his aggressive defense of the drug crackdown and his claims of having reduced crime in Davao City through violent means. She remarked that he tried to instill fear, similar to how he captivated the public during his presidency.

However, she highlighted that the real “light” came from the families and supporters of the victims of the drug war who attended the hearing to confront Duterte, stating, “They are the source of the magic to break the spell that Duterte thought he could cast again to spread doom.”

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