Hontiveros throws shade on ‘front and center’ of PH drug war

Senator Risa Hontiveros. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday threw shade on a Senate guest whom she called the “front and center” of the Philippines’ war on drugs and extrajudicial killings.

Hontiveros did not name the person she was pertaining to, but former President Rodrigo Duterte attended the Senate drug war probe last October.

READ: Duterte appears before Senate as chamber probes into anti-drug war

“I am looking forward that former Sen. [Antonio] Trillanes will be able to attend. The way I am not looking forward that someone will attend, but maybe it would be good if he attends again because he is really the front and center of this war on drugs and extrajudicial killings,” Hontiveros told reporters at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

Hontiveros and Duterte traded barbs during the Senate panel on justice’s hearing on the drug war last October 28.

The lawmaker called out the former president, urging him to avoid using profanity during legislative hearings.

READ: Hontiveros calls out Duterte’s profanity at Senate probe

Meanwhile, there’s no final schedule yet for the next Senate hearing on the drug war, but Hontiveros said it may be done in November for a final hearing to be conducted in December.