Push Admin

Paolo Duterte says no problem if dad attends House Quad Comm hearing

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172968316982120220804-former-president-ramos-wake-GC-15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former president Rodrigo Duterte talks to his former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III after visiting the wake of former President Fidel V. Ramos at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on August 4, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former president Rodrigo Duterte talks to his former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III after visiting the wake of former President Fidel V. Ramos at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on August 4, 2022. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANDALUYONG CITY (<strong>UPDATE</strong>) – Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte said on Wednesday he is okay if his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, attends the House Quad Committee hearings.</p><p>The panel is looking into alleged extrajudicial killings and the alleged reward system in the war on drugs of his father&#x27;s administration.</p><p>Lawmakers invited the former president so he can address his alleged involvement in EJKs.</p><p>The elder Duterte earlier said he was open to attend the hearing, hoping lawmakers would ask &quot;educated&quot; questions.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/20/political-discourse-feared-to-hit-gutter-as-marcos-duterte-rivalry-escalates-2021">WRAP: Political discourse feared to hit gutter as Marcos-Duterte rivalry escalates</a></div><p>Rep. Duterte said he is not discouraging his father&#x27;s attendance.</p><p>&quot;Hindi naman. Bakit naman? Ewan ko sa mga kapatid ko. Pero hindi namin napagusapan na anuhin ko siya na huwag pumunta. Sabi ko pa nga samahan ko siya. Ayaw niya,&quot; he told reporters in Mandaluyong City.</p><p>&quot;Bakit naman hindi diba? Ano bang masama kung pumunta siya doon,&quot; he added.</p><p>On Wednesday, the House Quad Committee chairmen said the reward system in the Duterte drug war was clearly established, especially after retired Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo corroborated the statements made by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma through her affidavits.</p><p>&quot;It has been established that actually there&#x27;s a reward system [during the Duterte drug war]. ‘Di na pwedeng itanggi pa ng previous administration,&quot; Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., who was the one who got the key responses from Leonardo, the resigned National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner during the hearing, said.</p><p>&quot;Na-establish ang point namin diyan. Whether it be his claim or not, it will be a burden of proof sa mga ayaw tumanggap. Di na sa kanila,&quot; noted Abante.</p><p>Barbers also noted the importance of Leonardo&#x27;s statements, and having it recorded in the committee&#x27;s findings.</p><p>&quot;Ang kanyang pag-amin sa Quad Comm will be placed on the records and this record that we will use as basis in writing our committee report, isasama namin,” Barbers said.</p><p>&quot;Once pumasok ito sa concerned agencies like DOJ (Department of Justice), DOJ should do a more comprehensive, maybe preliminary investigation sa kanya. Maybe interview siya at maring i-compel siya to issue or to execute an affidavit,&quot; he added.</p><p>In recent hearings, the former president was implicated in a supposed reward system for police who successfully killed drug suspects in operations.</p><p>Duterte has denied the allegation, saying cops would not accept money.</p><p>He also said there was no reward system and that he never instructed police to kill drug suspects unless they resist arrest.</p><p>The House Quad Comm formally invited the former president to its October 22 hearing.</p><p>However, the elder Duterte skipped Tuesday&#x27;s probe but said will show up in the next ones.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/10/22/rep-duterte-challenges-2025-political-opponent-to-undergo-drug-test-2332">Rep. Duterte challenges 2025 political opponent to undergo drug test</a></div><p>His legal counsel, Atty. Martin Delgra III said the former chief executive was &quot;not feeling well and is in need of rest.&quot;</p><p>Delgra said Duterte is willing to attend Quad Comm hearings after November 1.</p><p>Some lawmakers criticized Duterte&#x27;s absence, but House Quad Comm Chairperson Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said they should extend courtesy to the former President.</p><p>Former senator Leila de Lima, who attended Tuesday&#x27;s hearing, hoped Duterte would soon face the panel.</p><p>De Lima, a known critic of Duterte, was detained for nearly seven years during the Duterte administration after she was implicated in narcotics charges. She was released earlier this year after witnesses recanted their testimonies and drug charges were dismissed.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/60Jg4s3u35c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte said he is okay with his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, attending the House Quad Committee hearings.</p>

Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte said he is okay with his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, attending the House Quad Committee hearings.