Sen. Imee Marcos Slams Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero for Rejecting Contempt Order
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President called on the Senator to refrain from using the Senate for her “personal political objectives”.
Unexpectedly, among the many senators in the Senate it was Sen. Imee Marcos who led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s investigation on the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Her brother, Pres. Bongbong Marcos, has earned countless criticisms due to the arrest.
Malacañang previously insisted that Pres. Bongbong Marcos did not commit betrayal over Duterte’s arrest. According to the Palace, the government only did its job. Marcos Jr. also claimed that the government only acted on the arrest in lieu of its commitment with the Interpol.
Duterte was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) last March 11 upon his arrival from Hong Kong. He was detained for several hours at Villamor Air Base and he was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai before the day ended.
Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that he was shocked by the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. She launched a Senate investigation over the issue. Recently, the panel conducted the third hearing.
Sen. Imee Marcos cited special envoy on transnational crime Markus Lacanilao for contempt for allegedly lying during the hearing. However, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero did not sign the contempt order according to the Senator. It did not sit well with Marcos.
“As expected, Senate President Chiz Escudero refused to sign the contempt order. Just like he refused to sign the subpoenas. This time, he went even further — he ordered Lacanilao’s release,” Marcos said.
Recently, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero reacted to the statement of Sen. Imee Marcos. Based on a report on PhilStar, he called on the Senator to stop using the Senate for her own objectives.
“I urge Senator Marcos to refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her own personal political objectives and to instead use her name, title and influence as a bridge toward unity, not a wedge for division. Our people and our country expect and deserve no less,” Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said.
According to Escudero, Marcos did not allegedly follow the Senate rules requiring the approval of the Senate President. He claimed that he did not refuse to sign it but Marcos has allegedly announced it on social media even before he could see it. He issued a Show Cause Order to Lacanilao.
Duterte’s longtime partner, Honeylet Avanceña, has also reacted to the Senate probe of Sen. Imee Marcos over the former President’s arrest.