Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Facilitated Communication Between Executive Dept. & Senate
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President confirmed that the cabinet officials will attend the probe led by Senator Imee Marcos over the controversial arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Former Pres. Duterte is now detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Sen. Imee Marcos is one of those who were shocked by the arrest of Duterte and claimed she could not accept what was done to the former President.
Sen. Marcos opened a Senate investigation on the arrest of Duterte. Undeniably, Pres. Bongbong Marcos and the government earned countless criticisms from the Duterte supporters. Marcos Jr. and Malacañang stressed that the government only acted on the arrest because of its commitment with the Interpol.
The government officials and the cabinet members attended the first hearing but the cabinet officials skipped the second day of the Senate probe led by Sen. Imee Marcos over Duterte’s arrest. According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in his letter to Marcos and Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, all the matters not covered by the executive privilege have already been discussed.
Sen. Imee Marcos stressed that the absence of the cabinet members will make it appear like they are hiding something. The Palace stressed that there are matters that should not be announced in public. Malacañang also claimed that Sen. Imee Marcos asked the same questions during the Senate probe.
On her side, Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that there are still a lot of questions over the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Recently, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero spoke on the matter.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero revealed that he initiated a communication between the executive department and the Senate to prevent conflict between the two (2) co-equal branches of the government. Based on a report on PhilStar, he confirmed that the cabinet officials will be attending the Senate probe led by Sen. Imee Marcos on April 10.
“Didn’t I say the hearing shouldn’t add more conflict, arguments, and disputes? Didn’t I mention that this should be a source of unity, healing and deeper understanding, as much as possible? That can only happen if the questions can be answered without the need for confrontation using executive privilege on one side, and Senate subpoenas on the other,” the Senate President said.
Based on the report, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero revealed that one of those that the Senate committee want to attend the hearing is Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Nicolas Torre III. He was the lead officer during Duterte’s arrest.
Currently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who spoke about her relationship with Sen. Imee Marcos is now back in the Philippines. She stayed in The Hague, Netherlands for over three (3) weeks for her father.