Duterte, De Lima, EJK victims' kin invited to Senate's drug war probe | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Duterte, De Lima, EJK victims' kin invited to Senate's drug war probe
Duterte, De Lima, EJK victims' kin invited to Senate's drug war probe
Former president Rodrigo Duterte waves to the media and exclaims “no jurisdiction!” as he leaves the wake of former president Fidel Ramos at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on August 4, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File
Former president Rodrigo Duterte waves to the media and exclaims “no jurisdiction!” as he leaves the wake of former president Fidel Ramos at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on August 4, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA (UPDATED) — Former President Rodrigo Duterte, some relatives of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) victims, and 30 others were invited to attend the Senate's investigation into the previous administration controversial anti-narcotics campaign.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Former President Rodrigo Duterte, some relatives of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) victims, and 30 others were invited to attend the Senate's investigation into the previous administration controversial anti-narcotics campaign.
The Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee, to be presided by Sen. Koko Pimentel, is set to hold its first hearing on Oct. 28.
The Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee, to be presided by Sen. Koko Pimentel, is set to hold its first hearing on Oct. 28.
Aside from Duterte, also invited are former Sen. Leila de Lima and other key personalities during the drug war such as former PCSO General Manager retired Police Col. Royina Garma, Former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog, and the families of the victims of EJK.
Aside from Duterte, also invited are former Sen. Leila de Lima and other key personalities during the drug war such as former PCSO General Manager retired Police Col. Royina Garma, Former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog, and the families of the victims of EJK.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who will serve as the vice chair of the subcommittee, said Duterte's presence will be the new element that the Senate probe can introduce, adding that he will be treated with respect.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who will serve as the vice chair of the subcommittee, said Duterte's presence will be the new element that the Senate probe can introduce, adding that he will be treated with respect.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Una siguro if we will be able to get the presence of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Siguro bago yun, first yun. But it's not unusual, if you recall during the time of President Noynoy Aquino, he also appeared in the Senate," he said.
"Una siguro if we will be able to get the presence of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Siguro bago yun, first yun. But it's not unusual, if you recall during the time of President Noynoy Aquino, he also appeared in the Senate," he said.
Villanueva also echoed Pimentel's position against dragging the hearings on as they will focus on a few resource persons only.
Villanueva also echoed Pimentel's position against dragging the hearings on as they will focus on a few resource persons only.
Earlier, Pimentel said around 3 hearings are enough to cover the drug war probe.
Earlier, Pimentel said around 3 hearings are enough to cover the drug war probe.
ENSURING PROBE'S FOCUS
"Napag-usapan din namin ni Sen Koko 'yung pag-imbita sa mga relevant resource persons, hindi 'yung napakadami. Parang palengke na sa dami, hindi na maaasikaso lahat. So 'yun 'yung talagang goal. Kaya ayaw namin magkaroon ng bias. And of course, napag-usapan din yung participation ng dalawang senators, colleagues namin na nababanggit dun sa kabilang bahay. I heard Sen. Bato saying he is more than willing to even answer questions coming from members of the Senate," Villanueva said.
"Napag-usapan din namin ni Sen Koko 'yung pag-imbita sa mga relevant resource persons, hindi 'yung napakadami. Parang palengke na sa dami, hindi na maaasikaso lahat. So 'yun 'yung talagang goal. Kaya ayaw namin magkaroon ng bias. And of course, napag-usapan din yung participation ng dalawang senators, colleagues namin na nababanggit dun sa kabilang bahay. I heard Sen. Bato saying he is more than willing to even answer questions coming from members of the Senate," Villanueva said.
The lawmaker also echoed Pimentel's position against dragging the hearings on as they will focus on a few resource persons only.
The lawmaker also echoed Pimentel's position against dragging the hearings on as they will focus on a few resource persons only.
Pimentel will preside the hearing, since Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chariman Pia Cayetano is attending a summit for the Committee on Energy.
Pimentel will preside the hearing, since Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chariman Pia Cayetano is attending a summit for the Committee on Energy.
"'Yung initial suggestion ni Sen. Koko is about 6-7 resource persons. Tapos 'yung victims, 'yun lang 'yung nabanggit niya sa akin na plano niya," Villanueva said.
"'Yung initial suggestion ni Sen. Koko is about 6-7 resource persons. Tapos 'yung victims, 'yun lang 'yung nabanggit niya sa akin na plano niya," Villanueva said.
He added they are also conscious that the investigation doesn't affect the deliberations of the Senate on the 2025 budget.
He added they are also conscious that the investigation doesn't affect the deliberations of the Senate on the 2025 budget.
"Yung timeline, tinitignan namin, syempre, itong deliberation rin ng budget. Ayaw namin humati doon sa oras na igugugol namin dito sa War on Drugs hearing. Gusto namin marinig yung iba't ibang panig. May mga ideas na rin naman tayo at mahilig naman magbasa ang mga senador ng mga reports. So, ito yung titignan natin. I think si Senator Koko made mention about 3 to 4 hearings."
"Yung timeline, tinitignan namin, syempre, itong deliberation rin ng budget. Ayaw namin humati doon sa oras na igugugol namin dito sa War on Drugs hearing. Gusto namin marinig yung iba't ibang panig. May mga ideas na rin naman tayo at mahilig naman magbasa ang mga senador ng mga reports. So, ito yung titignan natin. I think si Senator Koko made mention about 3 to 4 hearings."
SENATE TO PROBE DRUG WAR IN 'CLEAN SLATE'
The lawmaker said that the investigation of the Senate will begin with a clean slate. The first hearing is scheduled on October 28.
The lawmaker said that the investigation of the Senate will begin with a clean slate. The first hearing is scheduled on October 28.
"No'ng kinausap din ako ni Senate President Escudero ang marching orders niya is pag-seek ng thorough, impartial, and well-rounded investigation. So, 'yun 'yung gusto namin mangyari. Ayaw namin magkaroon ng bias, ayaw namin magkaroon ng kung anuman 'yung narinig namin na before. Gusto namin itong pagsisimula na ito ay blank slate," he stressed.
"No'ng kinausap din ako ni Senate President Escudero ang marching orders niya is pag-seek ng thorough, impartial, and well-rounded investigation. So, 'yun 'yung gusto namin mangyari. Ayaw namin magkaroon ng bias, ayaw namin magkaroon ng kung anuman 'yung narinig namin na before. Gusto namin itong pagsisimula na ito ay blank slate," he stressed.
Villanueva said that although he is not a member of the Blue Ribbon Committee, Subcommittee Chair and Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel asked him to be the vice-chair. He cited his record of criticizing the drug war as well.
Villanueva said that although he is not a member of the Blue Ribbon Committee, Subcommittee Chair and Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel asked him to be the vice-chair. He cited his record of criticizing the drug war as well.
He added that he doesn't need to be a member to attend and participate, but he has to be elected by the plenary if he will serve as vice chair.
He added that he doesn't need to be a member to attend and participate, but he has to be elected by the plenary if he will serve as vice chair.
"All out naman yung tulong natin sa Senado, sa institution natin and I trust our chairperson, Senator Koko Pimentel, na he is in the best position to lead the Senate in the investigation, in the calling of hearing dito sa war on drugs. And if you may recall, both Senator Dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go actually asked for it, diba? And requested and probably 'yung suggestion nila na it's a good thing for the Senate to have a parallel investigation and so this is also part of their request," he said.
"All out naman yung tulong natin sa Senado, sa institution natin and I trust our chairperson, Senator Koko Pimentel, na he is in the best position to lead the Senate in the investigation, in the calling of hearing dito sa war on drugs. And if you may recall, both Senator Dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go actually asked for it, diba? And requested and probably 'yung suggestion nila na it's a good thing for the Senate to have a parallel investigation and so this is also part of their request," he said.
RELATED VIDEO
Read More:
Senate
war on drugs
drug war
Koko Pimentel
EJK
Rodrigo Duterte
Leila de Lima
Joel Villanueva
ANC
ANC promo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
