Bato sets Senate inquiry; Duterte to be invited

MANILA, Philippines —  Former president Rodrigo Duterte will be invited to the Senate when it conducts its investigation on the war on drugs during his administration, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

In a phone interview with Senate reporters, Dela Rosa said even as Congress is on break until Nov. 4, committee chairpersons could conduct a motu proprio investigation into the allegations of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, who claimed that reward money was given to police operatives for every drug suspect killed.

Dela Rosa said he has yet to personally talk to Duterte, but he expressed =belief that it is likely the former president would face the Senate if the committee on public order, which the senator chairs, would conduct the investigation.

“We would invite him as well as his Cabinet members who can be resource persons. There is a high possibility that he will attend if we invite him. He will be more comfortable here in the Senate than in the Lower House,” he added.

Earlier, Sen. Bong Go was poised to file a Senate resolution to call for an investigation into the drug war.

Del Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief, clarified that the Senate panel inquiry would be a parallel investigation not meant to contradict the probe being conducted by the House quad committee.

When asked how he would handle the committee investigation, Dela Rosa said, “Being fair or one-sided is a matter of perception. I will stick to the facts, stick to the records until we get there.”

“If I want to use my committee, I should have been conducting hearings for a long time but I’m also embarrassed that people might say I’m using my committee… If it is really necessary for checks and balances, we have to do it,” he added.

House quad committee co-chair Manila Rep. Benny Abante questioned the senator’s motive as he believes his investigation will be “more biased.”

He added Dela Rosa, principal architect of Duterte’s war on drugs as chief PNP, would clear himself and protect his principal from any charges.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III vouched for the chance of victims to speak out before the Senate if it pushes