Escudero sees fair Senate probe into war on drugs

Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero  (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday dismissed fears that the Senate’s probe into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal drug war would be biased, saying the chamber’s investigation slated on October 28 would be the fairest in every way possible.

“Para sa akin ito na ang pinaka fair kaya nga si Sen. [Koko] Pimentel ang magche-chair ng komite [at] kaya nga blue ribbon committee ang magche-chair bagaman recess kami at kumuha ng motu proprio jurisdiction sa isyung ito,” said Escudero in a press conference. 

(For me, this is the fairest. That’s why Sen. Koko Pimentel will chair the committee, and that’s why the blue ribbon panel will probe it despite the fact that we’re in recess.)

Escudero’s remarks came after concerns were raised about Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go’s involvement in the hearing, considering the supposed role that the two played in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs

It was Go who initially filed for a resolution prompting an investigation on the controversial anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa, for his part, previously said he planned to lead the probe as head of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Escudero, meanwhile, said he fully trusts that Pimentel would handle the probe well. 

“Ipinaubaya ko kay Sen. Pimentel. Buo ang kumpyansa ko sa kanya hindi lamang dahil siya’y batikan nang senador, pero dahil abogado rin siya at hindi lamang ordinaryong abogado — bar topnotcher pa,” he said. 

(I left it all to Sen. Pimentel. I have full confidence in him, because he’s a veteran senator and a lawyer — not just an ordinary lawyer, but a bar topnotcher.)

Escudero said he’s expecting the Senate to give due courtesy to Duterte should he physically attend the investigation.