Statement of Malacañang on the Third Senate Probe over Duterte Arrest
Malacañang Press Officer Usec. Atty. Claire Castro confirmed the statement of Senate President Chiz Escudero that the government officials will attend the Senate probe on Duterte’s arrest.
Senator Imee Marcos opened a Senate investigation on the controversial arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. For more than three (3) weeks now, Duterte is under the custody of the ICC (International Criminal Court) which welcomed his arrest.
The former Philippine President is faced with allegations of crimes against humanity. He made his initial appearance before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC remotely last March 15. The confirmation of the charges against Duterte is scheduled on September 23.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte elicited different reactions. Sen. Imee Marcos was shocked by Duterte’s arrest. Marcos skipped the Alyansa campaign rallies led by Pres. Bongbong Marcos following Duterte’s arrest.
Sen. Imee Marcos surprisingly led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. She skipped the Tacloban and Cavite campaign rallies of the grand alliance so she can focus on the probe.
Following the first Senate inquiry on Duterte’s arrest, Sen. Imee Marcos officially left the Alyansa saying that the recent actions of the government officials do not match her ideals and principles in life. She believes that there seems to be no due process in the arrest of Duterte.
The cabinet officials skipped the second hearing of the Senate on Duterte’s arrest. It did not sit well with Marcos who stressed that there are still a lot of unanswered questions. According to her, “hidden truths are unspoken lies”.
Recently, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero confirmed that the cabinet officials will attend the third Senate inquiry to be led by Sen. Imee Marcos over Duterte’s arrest. According to the Senate Chief, he initiated a communication with the executive department about the matter.
Recently, Malacañang confirmed the statement of Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Palace press officer undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro also named the officials who may be attending the third Senate probe on the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte such as the following:
- Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla
- Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan
- Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon
- Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
- PNP Chief Rommel Franscisco Marbil
- Philippine Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Anthony Alcantara
- DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
- CIDG Chief General Nicolas Torre
- Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Markus Lacanilao
However, based on the report, the Malacañang Press Officer stressed that the government officials who will be attending the probe may still refuse to answer questions and invoke their executive privilege on matters that should not be discussed in public.
After staying for more than three (3) weeks in The Hague, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is now back in the Philippines. She also previously expressed her willingness to attend the Senate probe if she will be invited.