Sen. Risa Hontiveros Explains Voting Against Resolution over House Arrest for Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
RISA HONTIVEROS – The Senator voted “no” on the resolution urging the Senate to call for the house arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In August, the camp of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte renewed their application for his interim release from the ICC (International Criminal Court). The lawyers of the former President previously asked the court to hold off in making a decision as they await some information and documents that will support their bid.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte previously claimed that a “third country” is willing to host the interim release of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. She did not reveal which nation she is referring to but made it clear that it is not Japan, Australia, or any country she previously visited.
The Vice President claimed that she supposedly cannot trust anyone in the Philippines. According to her, she asked for the help of some Filipinos she knew abroad on finding for a country that would be willing to host the interim release of her father.
The confirmation of charges hearing of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was postponed after his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, claimed that his client is allegedly “not fit to stand trial”. The British-Israeli Lawyer claimed that Duterte is supposedly suffering from a ‘cognitive impairment’.
Kaufman claimed that Duterte is allegedly unable to remember places, events, and even members of his family. The lawyer asked the ICC to adjourn all legal proceedings indefinitely.
Recently, in the Senate, a resolution seeking for the chamber to call for the house arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was filed. Fifteen (15) senators voted “yes” while three (3) senators voted “no”. Senate Pres. Tito Sotto and Sen. Raffy Tulfo abstained from making a vote.
YES
- Migz Zubiri
- Rodante Marcoleta
- Imee Marcos
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Robin Padilla
- Bato Dela Rosa
- Joel Villanueva
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
NO
- Risa Hontiveros
- Bam Aquino
- Kiko Pangilinan
Based on a post of News5 on social media, Sen. Risa Hontiveros who is one of the three (3) senators who voted “no” in the Resolution No. 144 urging the Senate to call for the house arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte claimed that the government may allegedly look like giving a special treatment if it will be the advocate of an interim release.
“Ang panawagan para ang gobyerno ay mag-advocate para sa interim release o house arrest… maaaring naka-couch sa humanitarian terms. Pero nagmumukha ring isa pang halimbawa ng ating gobyerno na nagbibigay ng special treatment sa isang makapangyarihang indibidwal,” the Senator said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros admitted that she cannot support the call for a house arrest for former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in good conscience. Based on the post, the Senator also claimed that there is allegedly no indication that the ICC is neglecting the health and the recovery of the people under their custody.
One of the senators who voted “yes” to Duterte’s house arrest, Sen. Bong Go, claimed in his speech that he treats the former President as more than a father.