Senator Imee Marcos during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Instead of probing the Duterte administration’s drug war in the Senate, why not bring it to court?
This is Sen. Imee Marcos’ recommendation when asked about Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s plan to lead a motu proprio investigation into the drug war. Dela Rosa was the first chief of the Philippine National Police appointed by then-president Rodrigo Duterte. He was also the chief implementer of the drug war.
“Maybe it would be better if we bring it to court if there is already enough evidence. Let’s bring it to court so that it would not be labeled partisan, self-serving, or otherwise untruthful,” Marcos said in Filipino at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.
“I’m nervous that it will be called self-serving. Then we’ll clash with the [House of Representatives]. I think it should be clear to us what the jobs of the three branches of government are,” she added.
READ: Bong Go wants Senate to probe Duterte admin’s drug war
According to Marcos, a great deal of evidence has “already come forward” at the House of Representatives’ quad committee investigation into the drug war.
She, however, noted the need to identify which legislation could be produced.
“It (congressional probe) should be in aid of legislation. I am looking at laws that could be amended, changed, and added here. That’s what I am thinking about,” she said in Filipino.
Duterte and Dela Rosa have been accused of committing a crime against humanity by the families of drug war victims before the International Criminal Court.
READ: Bato dela Rosa urged to explain role in Duterte ‘drug war’ before ICC
During the House quad panel’s hearing on Oct. 11, retired police colonel Royina Garma said Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Duterte’s former aide, allegedly coordinated with National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in setting up a system to give police officers cash incentives for every drug suspect in the drug list killed.
READ: Bong Go’s aide summoned to next House hearing on drug war
Marcos said Dela Rosa and Go have a right to defend themselves, but she also stressed the importance of swift justice.
“I think the Department of Justice is competent, at this point, to make a case with the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation. Perhaps, prosecution is in order. It has been a long time and we are well aware that as cases linger, evidence grows cold, testimonies become stale, and witnesses disappear so we really need to rush this,” she explained in Filipino.