Former president Rodrigo Duterte is willing to attend the House Quad Committee (QuadComm) hearing on the reported extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs during his term, his former spokesperson said.
Former presidential spokesman and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo disclosed in a radio interview on Monday, Oct. 21, that Duterte told him he would attend the hearing if he will be invited.
The House QuadComm has invited the former president to its hearing scheduled on Tuesday, Oct. 22, through a letter sent by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, dated Oct. 18.
Panelo said Duterte told him that it seems that the investigation is directed to him, so the House might as well invite him to directly respond to the questions.
"Yun ang sabi niya, e kung sino sino ang pinatatawag doon, e sa akin naman pala nakadirekta, e sabi niya 'di ako na lang ang imbitahan nila at (What he said was: they have been inviting any one when the questioning seems to be directed to me, then they might as well invite me and) I will respond to them, I will give them what they want to hear," Panelo said.
"Kaya sabi niya: pag nakatanggap ako ng imbitasyon, pupunta ako (So, he said: if I received an invitation, I will go)," Panelo said.
According to Philippine National Police (PNP), Duterte has already received the invitation from the QuadComm. It was received by Duterte's representative on Sunday.
Panelo, however, said Duterte would attend the hearing unless it will not cause any conflict to his schedule, or unless his health won't prevent him from doing so. He also added that the former president is in good health.
"Kung natanggap na niya, pupunta 'yan, unless, unless na may konting conflict of schedule o unless ang kalusugan niya prevents him from attending. Siguro maganda kung binigyan nila ng sapat na oras (If he already received it, he will go, unless it is a conflict of schedule or unless his health prevents him from attending, It would be better if he was given enough time)," he said.
"Kung kahapon pinadala at bukas ang ano ay baka masyadong short notice (If it was sent yesterday and the hearing is tomorrow, it might be a short notice)," he added.