Sen. Imee Marcos asks agencies in the executive department to work together in addressing the concerns of affected sectors should the Philippines ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the Committee on Foreign Relations' public hearing on the RCEP on September 8, 2022. Albert Calvelo, Senate PRIB/File

MANILA (UPDATED) — Sen. Imee Marcos on Thursday said complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies are best left to be resolved by courts as opposed to congressional investigations that cannot determine an individual's guilt.

House recommends criminal raps vs ex-President Duterte, Bato, Go over alleged EJKs

This was Marcos' reaction to the recommendation of the House quad committee to file "crimes against humanity" charges against Duterte, senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go, and other former top PNP officials over the alleged extrajudicial killings that took place during their war on drugs. 

"I think karapatan ng mga committee sa Congress maglabas ng anumang committee report at mag-recommend ng pagpa-file ng kaso. Ako, noong pa, sinasabi ko na talaga, dalhin na sa korte yan kung sa tingin ninyo, yung katibayan ay sapat, eh dalhin na sa korte yan, sa lalong madaling panahon," said Sen. Marcos, an ally of the Dutertes. 

Similarly, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) still had to assess the quad committee's recommendation to file criminal complaints against Duterte and his allies.

Raps vs Rodrigo Duterte? Marcos says DOJ has to assess quad comm recommendation

"The DOJ has to make an assessment. May recommendation ang quad comm, ganoon naman talaga ang proseso. When they do an oversight hearing, mayroon silang findings, ifo-forward nila ngayon sa DOJ," Marcos told reporters.

According to Sen. Marcos, she had always maintained that Congress cannot convict and sentence an individual regardless of how many hearings they conduct.

Rep. Duterte welcomes probe after Quad Comm recommends investigation on illegal drug links

"Pagkat hindi naman nakakapag-convict, parusa, sentensya, ang ating mga mambabatas, eh dalian na natin. Dapat, kung may dapat managot, eh pasagutin na kaagad. Bakit pa patatagalin?" she said.

The senator said that personally, she does not go to congressional investigations if the legislative goals are not clear.

"Alam naman ninyo, tamad ako pumunta sa imbestigasyon... Kung ibang mga hearing, matyaga ako dyan kahit magdamagan tayo dyan. Pero yung investigation, kapag hindi klaro sa akin kung ano yung in aid of legislation... Kung hindi maliwanag sa akin, hindi ako magpunta kasi di ko alam kung  anong gagawin ko doon," Sen. Marcos said. 

The quad comm was constituted in August "to collectively examine and deliberate... on the interrelated and complex issues during public hearings on EJKs, POGOs and illegal drugs." 

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