No confirmation from Duterte camp on attendance at EJK probe

MANILA – The House of Representatives quad committee (quadcom) has not received a formal communication from former president Rodrigo R. Duterte's camp regarding his reported willingness to attend the now-postponed Nov. 13 hearing on alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) linked to his administration's war on drugs.

In a press conference Tuesday, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers said while Duterte's lawyer, Martin Delgra III, acknowledged receipt of the notice of cancellation on Tuesday morning, no official response indicated that the former president was supposed to attend.

"Wala po kaming natatanggap hanggang sa ngayon. Ang nakikita lang namin 'yun mga vloggers. So, hindi namin pinakikinggan 'yung mga vloggers. Wala naman hong sinabing tama 'yan (We haven't received anything until now. What we only see are those vloggers. So, we do not listen to the vloggers. Nobody said that's right)," Barbers said, referring to social media reports of Duterte's supposed appearance.

Barbers said the panel postponed this week's hearing to vet additional witnesses and ensure their credibility.

He reiterated the committee's readiness to welcome Duterte if he chooses to attend their Nov. 21 session or another convenient date.

"Of course, we appreciate kung pupunta ang ating dating pangulo dahil 'yan ang request ng ating kasamahan sa quadcom na magkaroon ng talakayan, magkaroon ng palitan ng idea tungkol sa usapin sa EJK at usapin sa drugs kung saan ay centerpiece ng kampanya ng ating dating administration (Of course, we appreciate if our former president comes because that is the request of our colleagues in the quad comm to have a discussion, an exchange of ideas about the issue of EJK and the issue of drugs which were the centerpiece of our former administration's campaign)," he said.

Santa Rosa City Rep. and quadcom co-chair Dan Fernandez emphasized the importance of formal confirmations from invited resource persons.

He also expressed skepticism about vloggers' reports of the former president's attendance.

"Huwag po sa social media…kasi 'pag social media, you can always deny it. Pwede kang hindi pumunta tapos sabihin eh hindi naman formal yan (Not on social media…because if it's on social media, you can always deny it. You can choose not to go and then say, 'Well, that's not formal anyway')," Fernandez said.

Manila 6th District Rep. and fellow quadcom chair Benny Abante affirmed the panel's commitment to contribute to the expenses of Duterte's group in case he finally testifies.

"We're willing to chip in kung talagang kinakailangan (if necessary)…we would like the people to know that we have high respect for the former president and we really want to hear his side of the issue," Abante said. (PNA)