Manila: Former president Rodrigo R. Duterte is planning to attend the Senate inquiry into his administration's war on drugs, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa assured on Tuesday. "The former President told me that he is going to attend the Senate hearing regardless of who is presiding," dela Rosa told reporters in a Viber message. He earlier said Duterte will attend the investigation if he is the one who will invite the former president "because he's more comfortable with the Senate compared to the House of Representatives." Dela Rosa also dismissed calls for him and Senator Christopher Go to file an indefinite leave of absence ahead of the investigation to avoid 'conflict of interest,' insisting that he needs to attend the hearings. "No! I have to confront the liars because the public deserves to know the truth," dela Rosa said. Dela Rosa and Go were implicated in the alleged irregularities and extrajudicial killings during the war on drugs of the Duterte administration during hearings at the House of Rep resentatives. Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief at the height of Duterte's war on drugs, while Go was the former president's special assistant. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, who will preside over the Blue Ribbon subcommittee inquiry, said the first public hearing is on Oct. 28. He said dela Rosa is welcome to attend "if he wants to." Source: Philippines News Agency
Wednesday, October 23, 2024