Lacson: Duterte ill-advised on walkout call to Cabinet members

Senator Panfilo Lacson. CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte was ill-advised if he was serious about his call for Cabinet members to walk out of ongoing congressional investigations if they felt disrespected.

“That will create an unwarranted confrontation between the legislative and executive,” Lacson told reporters.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Mr. Duterte had basis for the statement because the Constitution required respect for witnesses and persons appearing in legislative hearings.

Pimentel said he did not need to remind senators about according respect to resource persons because they were observing it.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Mr. Duterte, being the country’s leader, should be the first to show respect to institutions.

But Trillanes said he doubted if Cabinet officials could, indeed, walk out. —Christine O. Avendaño