Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero highlighted that the Senate and the victims of extrajudicial killings achieved notable advancements during former President Rodrigo Duterte's testimony at the Senate hearing yesterday regarding the “war on drugs” enforced during his administration.
Escudero noted that the comments were significant, even though there was hardly anything new in the former president's words.
The major difference is that his prior statements were largely made during speeches and interviews, where he conceded to the killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Yesterday, however, Duterte’s testimony was delivered under oath, which can be leveraged both in his favor and against him.
“Ang pagkakaiba lang noong sinasabi niya noon, nung Presidente man siya o pagkatapos niya maging Presidente, o bago siya naging Presidente noong siya ay mayor, ito ay sinabi sa isang talumpati, sa isang interview,” Escudero said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Tuesday.
“Ang pinagkaiba kahapon, lahat ng mga binitiwan niyang salita ay under oath, pinanumpaan at sinabi niyang ‘yan ay totoo sa abot ng kanyang nalalaman na pwedeng magamit kung saka-sakali, pabor o laban sa kanya," he added.
He further stated that the usual assertions from the President's allies—that he was just joking—are no longer applicable, as all his remarks are part of his sworn testimony.
Escudero's perspective on Senator Risa Hontiveros' criticism of former President Duterte's use of profanity during the Senate hearing
Senator Escudero expressed his support for Senator Hontiveros' admonition regarding former President Duterte's use of profanity during the hearing that took place yesterday.
"Tama at sang-ayon ako doon sa ginawa ni Sen. Risa noong pinoint-out niya at pinaalalahanan niya ang dating Pangulo at ang komite na panatilihin ang order sa Senado," said Escudero.
"Ang pagmumura ay hindi normal. Ang pagmumura ay hindi parte ng anumang proceedings at ang pagmumura ay hindi isang bagay na maging manhid tayo, na tinatanggap na lang nating normal at bahagi ng araw-araw nating pamumuhay," he added.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee initiated a motu proprio inquiry on Tuesday regarding the alleged extrajudicial killings that took place during the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs.
