The Philippine Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee has drawn attention due to its inability to charge former President Rodrigo Duterte with contempt of court for his offensive remarks.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III pointed out that the current Senate rules do not grant the subcommittee the same disciplinary powers as the standing committees.
In an interview with dwIZ, Pimentel expressed his intention to push for a rule change to empower the subcommittee with the authority to charge contempt of court.
He explained, "We realized that Article 20 of the current rules does not authorize the subcommittee to bring charges of contempt of court. We must grant this authority before the next hearing."
Previously, Duterte was criticized for his inappropriate and insulting remarks during the hearing, and Senator Risa Hontiveros warned that stricter measures would be taken if similar behavior occurred.
Hontiveros stated, "During the investigation of illegal drug operations, no one is above the law, including the former president. The Senate has the right to maintain order and ensure justice."
Hontiveros also noted that Duterte had cursed suspects during the hearing, disrupted deliberations, and expressed hope that he would be detained for contempt. She emphasized that such behavior had disrupted the hearing process and caused public dissatisfaction. Pimentel added that if the rules remain unchanged, the subcommittee could only submit the charges to the main Blue Ribbon Committee led by Pia Cayetano for processing.
Regarding Duterte's outrageous remarks and public statements, Pimentel acknowledged that the hearing had sparked widespread controversy but stated that the focus must remain on key witnesses. He revealed that despite attempts by Duterte's allies to downplay his statements as "jokes" or metaphors, the investigation would continue. In last Monday's hearing, Duterte mentioned that he had formed a "death squad" in Davao City, which caused a stir.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV announced that he had submitted the hearing records to the International Criminal Court, aiding the charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte and his police force. Additionally, Duterte's critics urge the Department of Justice to prosecute the former president under Republic Act No. 9851, further pursuing his legal responsibilities during his drug war.
