MANILA — Reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday said the Ombudsman should investigate several Cabinet officials over their involvement in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Marcos said the following officials could be liable for graft, grave misconduct, usurpation of judicial functions, and arbitrary detention, among others, for sanctioning Duterte’s March 11 arrest on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

• Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla 
• Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla
• Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil  
• Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Nicolas Torre III
• Ambassador Markus V. Lacanilao

Sen. Marcos, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the recommendation as she presented additional findings on Duterte’s arrest, which the panel has been investigating since March.  

She reiterated that Duterte’s arrest was supposedly “politically motivated” and carried out through “group effort”.

Sen. Marcos also accused the administration of her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., of attempting to divert public attention away from the issue and onto the maritime dispute with China. 

But the President told reporters in a chance interview: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I disagree."

Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Remulla said: “I’m happy that she (Sen. Marcos) believes in due process, unlike the people that she is defending.” 

“At least she wants to go to the due process of how charges are filed and how guilt is decided. So natutuwa naman ako sa kanya that she believes in due process,” he continued.

The DILG chief said he was ready to face charges anytime.

“Of course, anytime. I have nothing to hide,” he said.

Justice Secretary Remulla added: “Ginawa namin yung dapat gawin to our best judgment, what’s good for our country." 

He added that he was open to a possible probe of the Ombudsman. 

“Hindi ko nga alam kung totoong committee report na yun lumalabas o ano ito, but ah, so welcome development. Hindi naman tayo natatakot dyan,” Remulla said.

Malacañang on Monday denied that there was a concerted effort to whisk Duterte off to the ICC’s seat at The Hague.

“Hindi na po siguro kataka-taka kung ganyan po ang kanyang magiging panuran, ang kanyang opinyon,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing.

“Bago pa naman po siguro nag-hearing ay makikita na po natin kung saan ba nagawi ni Senator Imee Marcos,” she said.

“Pero karagdagan, of course, ang Palasyo dine-deny kung anuman ang kanyang opinyon.”

Marcos Jr. in March said Duterte’s arrest was part of the country's commitments with the Interpol.

“Interpol asked for help and we obliged because we have commitments to the Interpol which we have to fulfill. If we don't do that, they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad,” Marcos Jr said. 

Marcos Jr.: Duterte's arrest was just gov't doing its job

Duterte, 80, faces a charge of crimes against humanity for murder over his "war on drugs" that claimed the lives of thousands of mostly poor men, often without proof they were linked to drugs.

6 in 10 Filipinos back Duterte trial at ICC: poll

A confirmation of charges hearing, where prosecutor and defense first lay out their evidence, is currently scheduled for September 23.

Could Duterte face more charges at ICC?
More ICC arrests? Probe ‘ongoing’ vs others tagged in Duterte drug war

Sen. Marcos maintained she has no intentions of destabilizing the country with her report.

"Hindi ko linalabanan ng sinuman. Binabasa ko lang ang lumabas sa katibayan mula sa hearing. Wala akong magagawa kung litaw ng litaw ang katotohanan," Marcos told a press conference at the Senate. 

"Wala tayong pagnanais mag-destabilize sa Pilipinas. Marami na tayong problema. ngunit ang katotohanan ay kinakailangan man ibabaw sa lahat."

Asked to comment on criticism against her siding with the Dutertes, Marcos said, "Masamang-masama ang loob ko, ngunit ang akin lamang, kailanman hindi kami nag-away ng aking kapatid." 

"Ang pinapanigan ko lamang ay ang soberanya ng Pilipinas na isinusuko natin. Nakakahiya naman itong ginagawa natin."

— With a report from Agence France-Presse