Trillanes bid to probe Duterte referred to Senate rules panel
AFTER a lengthy debate, the Senate has decided to refer to the committee on rules the privilege speech of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV seeking an investigation of the President.
This, after some senators pointed out that the House of Representatives was the proper venue to investigate President Duterte.
Trillanes wanted his speech, seeking a Senate probe on the alleged “direct” involvement of Duterte in the Davao Death Squad, to be referred to the Senate accountability of public officers and investigations also known as the blue ribbon committee being chaired by Senator Richard Gordon.
READ: Trillanes seeks Duterte probe
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But Gordon, who also chairs the Senate committee on justice and human rights investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country, objected to Trillanes’ motion.
“The Constitution allows us to hold the highest official of the land in a process called impeachment. We’ve seen that happened. President Estrada went through impeachment,” he said, referring to former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Gordon said those who want to file an impeachment complaint against Duterte may do so at the House of Representatives
“If you give it to the Senate committee on accountability, I cannot accept it because it’s going to be a waste of the taxpayers’ money,” he stressed.
It was Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who earlier said that the House was the right venue to investigate the President.
“The proper venue for that investigation will be in the House of Representatives because if a committee starts investigating that now, you’re investigating the President. We will be the judges later on the impeachment process,” Cayetano said.
“So I’m not objecting, I’m just giving my legislative and my legal opinion before everybody makes a decision kung saang komite po ito mapupunta,” he added.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri shared the opinions of Gordon and Cayetano.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III later amended Trillanes’ motion and suggested to refer the speech instead to the committee on rules for review and study.
“I accept the amendment and submit to the wisdom of the body,” Trillanes said.
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