Makabayan solons slam Duterte's absence at the quad-committee hearing

Manila Bulletin

Gabriela Party list Rep. Arlene Brosas and ACT-Teachers Party list Rep. France Castro slams former President Rodrigo Duterte in his absence at the Quad-Committee hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 22.  On Monday, Oct. 1, the House quad-committee (quad-comm) has received word from the counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte that he won't be attending the mega-panel's scheduled hearing.   The counsel, lawyer Martin Delgra III, wrote a letter to the office of Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the overall chairman of the quad-comm, to send Duterte’s regrets.  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

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00:00Mr. Chair, just a manifestation Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, on October 18, the

00:06QUADCOM sent an invitation to former President Rodrigo Duterte to attend the

00:12QUADCOM meeting today. Former President Duterte's legal counsel told yesterday

00:17that the former president cannot attend the hearing today. Mr. Chair, the

00:22non-appearance of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the QUADCOM hearing

00:27today is a clear manifestation of his disregard for truth, justice, and

00:32accountability. By refusing to participate, the former president is

00:37hindering the people's right to know and denying them the opportunity to seek

00:41justice for the crimes caused by the war on drugs during his term.

00:57He is a Filipino who has been seeking justice for a long time. It cannot be said that short notice is a bad feeling and that he needs to rest.

01:06The families of the victims, even if they are old, Father Bailon came here to express his condolences.

01:19So Mr. Chair, is he afraid to face the people? That is my manifestation, Mr. Chair.

01:25Congresswoman Franz Castro, you are recognized for your manifestation.

01:29Thank you, Mr. Chair.

01:30So, this is a matter of great concern and disregard for the non-appearance of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the hearing of our committee.

01:42It seems that Father Duterte is just imitating.

01:46A lot is said if it is not under oath or not in the right place.

01:50But when it is called for a formal hearing, the same thing happens.

01:56And there are a lot of reasons for our questions not to be answered properly.

02:04So, I move that if the former President Duterte has not yet come to the next hearing, he should be cited in contempt or whatever our rules are.

02:14But this is a big insult to the families of the victims of the bloody war on drugs that are here with us.

02:26In his refusal, he is just showing disrespect to the investigation process and facing the truth.

02:35Mr. Chair, the allegations against him are very serious.

02:39From the killing of civilians, suspects, and the poor, to the Chinese drug convicts, to the murder of Mayor Orlando Espinoza.

02:50These are not things that should be ignored or avoided.

02:54If the former President Duterte really did not hide anything, why did he not face our questions here in the committee?

03:01Why does he still need to hide behind reasons such as health issues and short notice?

03:07Mr. Chair, I ask the committee to do all it can to ensure that the former President Duterte comes to the next hearing,

03:16if he continues to hide and we should strictly use our power to cite him in contempt.

03:24The country needs truth and justice.

03:28We should not be influenced by tactics of avoiding and hiding.

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