Senate President Francis Escudero said on Sunday, November 3 said he sees no need to strike out former president Rodrigo Duterte’s expletives and foul language from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s records.
Escudero said Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III himself has said that those words uttered by the former leader is part of his narration of his testimony to the subcommittee’s investigation into his administration’s war on drugs.
“Until it isn’t struck from the records, it will remain. It’s not up to us to remove it,” Escudero said in a radio DZBB interview.
Nevertheless, whatever information the former president shared during the investigation was given under oath.
Therefore, Escudero said the Senate can certify Duterte’s admission and testimonies as part of the chamber’s official records.
“We have publicized it. Whoever asks for a copy, whether the ICC (International Criminal Court) or whoever individual asks to certify the transcript, I see no reason not to certify it,” he said.
Safeguarding innocent lives
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go insisted that the principles upheld by the former president in addressing criminality was to protect innocent lives and ensuring that law enforcement operates within the bounds of the law.
Go reiterated that while the Duterte's administration was known for its hardline stance against crime, particularly the drug trade, his directives were clear: innocent lives should not be harmed, and law enforcers must act responsibly within the bounds of the law.
“As President Duterte said before, he didn’t order that the innocent be killed. He is angry and he wants ninja cops prosecuted,” Go said, highlighting Duterte’s resolve in fighting corruption within the police force.
Go noted that despite doubling police salaries in the early years of Duterte’s term to encourage integrity, some officers persisted in engaging in criminal activities.
This, he said, fueled Duterte’s well-known frustration. “Even before then, Duterte is against these kind of policemen who are involved in illegal activities,” Go stressed.
He said Duterte’s position on this issue was previously affirmed during thr Senate hearing where he dismissed the notion of incentivizing police work with financial rewards.
Still, Go said that Duterte’s firm approach was rooted in a genuine desire to protect Filipinos and maintain the rule of law.
“Just like what he said before, they should do what needs to be done, protect the lives of innocent as what is imposed under the law,” he said.