Palace reconsiders stance, lists officials allowed to attend Senate's Duterte hearing

Malacañang has reconsidered its stance on the Senate's hearing on former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest as it listed the top officials who may attend the inquiry.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Senate President Francis Escudero stated that top executive officials would attend the hearing after the Palace initially declined to do so due to executive privilege.

In a press briefing on Monday, April 7, Castro said that while she was not aware if the Office of the Executive Secretary had already received an invitation to the next hearing, she enumerated the following individuals who may attend the inquiry:
 

• Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
• Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon
• Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan
• Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
• Philippines Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Alcantara
• Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil
• PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director General Nicolas Torre
• Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
• Special Envoy Markus Lacanilao
• Lawyers RJ Bernal and Ferdinand Loji Santiago

Asked what led the Palace to reconsider, Castro said this was due to Escudero's request.

"Kung nagkausap man po sila (Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin) ni Senate President Chiz Escudero, binigyan din po natin ng pagrespeto ang kaniyang hiling (If they had a conversation, we also respected his request)," she said.

"Provided, of course, ito ay hindi naman din tatalakay sa executive privilege na mga issues (Provided, of course, that this does not discuss issues covered by executive privilege)," she added.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and surrendered to the International Criminal Court on March 11.

In response, Senator Imee Marcos launched an investigation in aid of legislation on Duterte's arrest.