Press Officer of Malacañang Speaks Anew on Senate Hearing over Duterte Arrest
MALACAÑANG – The Palace suggested on Senator Imee Marcos to invite international law experts in her Senate hearing over the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March 11 that caused political turmoil in the Philippine government, Sen. Imee Marcos launched a Senate probe to investigate the unexpected turn of events. According to her, she cannot accept what was done to Duterte.
The first Senate inquiry was held last March 20 and Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who was in The Hague, Netherlands then attended the investigation via a video conference. She was not able to attend the April 3 hearing of the upper chamber due to a hectic schedule.
Meanwhile, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said she’s ready to attend future Senate hearings led by Sen. Imee Marcos over her father’s arrest. According to her, she is willing to answer questions that will require her to detail what happened in Hong Kong and during the arrest of the former President.
The cabinet officials attended the first Senate inquiry over Duterte’s arrest but skipped the second hearing. According to executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, the matters that are not covered by the executive privilege have already been discussed in the first Senate inquiry.
The absence of the cabinet officials left Sen. Imee Marcos disappointment. According to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, he initiated a communication with the executive department and the cabinet officials will attend the April 10 Senate hearing to be led by Sen. Marcos.
Recently, Malacañang spoke on the Senate inquiry led by Sen. Imee Marcos. Based on a report on GMA News, Palace press officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said it is better if the Senator will invite international law experts.
According to Castro, the international law expert’s presence may help enlighten the Senator. The Palace previously stressed that there are really matters that cannot be discussed in public, thus, the cabinet officials need to invoke their executive privilege.
”Mas maganda po na makapagimibita pa siya ng international law experts para mas maliwanagan pa siya,” the Malacañang Press Officer said.
Amid the political turmoil in the Philippines now, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke on her relationship with Sen. Imee Marcos.