All questions on Duterte arrest ‘sincerely’ answered ‑ Bersamin
MALACANANG has declined an invitation from a Senate committee for Cabinet officials to attend the next hearing on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a March 31 letter addressed to Senate President Francis Escudero and Sen. Imee Marcos, said there is no need for Cabinet members to attend the inquiry of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations set for April 3 because all questions relating to the arrest and turnover of the former president to the International Criminal Court have been fairly answered by the resource persons in the precious hearing.
Marcos, committee chair, hit Malacañang for allegedly issuing conflicting statements. She noted Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has given the assurance that “the President will not stop Cabinet members or secretaries” from attending the next Senate hearing “if they are summoned.”
Castro has not responded to requests for a reactions.
Bersamin, in the letter, said further discussing in an open hearing matters related to Duterte’s arrest and transport to the Netherlands on March 11 may “unduly influence” petitions filed by the former president’s camp before the Supreme Court.
“In the hearing held by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 20 March 2025, officials from various government agencies dutifully attended the same, sincerely answered all the questions to the best of their knowledge, and candidly provided all information elicited by the Senate committee members,” Bersamin said in the letter, a copy of which was shared to the media by Marcos’ office.
“Given the extensive disclosures made, we believe that further participation may no longer be necessary at this time, especially considering that the Honorable Chairperson (Sen. Marcos) has publicly relayed her comprehensive findings thereon,” he added.
Bersamin said the executive is reiterating its position on “the extent of executive privilege” in these proceedings, adding “we believe that all matters not covered by executive privilege have already been extensively discussed.”
Escudero earlier said the Cabinet members can invoke executive privilege during Senate hearing if questions “tend to invoke or include executive privilege” but it is not a reason for them not to attend the hearing.
“That cannot be used as a blanket privilege,” Escudero said.
Bersamin said the Senate should be aware that the Duterte camp has filed four petitions – all still pending — questioning the legality of the former president’s arrest and surrender to the ICC, “which are closely intertwined with the agenda items being deliberated in the hearings…”
Further discussions on the matters in the agenda of the hearing may constitute violation of the sub judice rule, he said, and “unduly influence the ongoing proceedings.”
“In light of these considerations, we must respectfully decline the invitation to attend the hearing. Nevertheless, we remain available to extend our full cooperation through other appropriate channels, should there be any further clarifications required within the bounds of law,” Bersamin added.
CONFUSION
Marcos said government must be transparent and issuing different statements only causes confusion.
“Who is to be followed? The statements of Executive Secretary Bersamin and President Marcos do not jibe,” she said in Filipino.
“They cannot have different decisions. What is the President’s order for when it will not be obeyed,” she added.
Marcos, in a statement last week, said repeatedly invoking executive privilege and the sub judice rule would mean that the government witnesses “appeared to be hiding essential facts” on Duterte’s arrest.
“Beyond their constant narrative that the Philippines was simply complying with its international commitments, a deliberate effort to obscure the truth only gave rise to even greater suspicion that the Constitution may have been disregarded and our sovereignty diminished by the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte,” Marcos said.
Also last week, Marcos disclosed the initial committee report showing that due process was not properly observed when Duterte was arrested upon returning from Hong Kong and then brought to The Hague later that day.
SUPPORTERS
Escudero said Filipinos abroad should learn from the experience of the Filipino workers arrested in Qatar for holding a political demonstration, reportedly to show support for Duterte on his 80th birthday on March 28.
“I would like to remind our countrymen abroad to always obey the laws and policies of the country where they are. Nevertheless, what’s important is that the remaining Filipinos detained in Qatar must be released. For me, the lessons learned from their experience should be enough to educate Filipinos abroad,” he said in Filipino.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency has always made it a point to remind all departing OFWs to obey laws and customs in their host countries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said 16 of the 20 arrested Filipinos remained in detention in Qatar. It said they were arrested for taking part in a political rally which is not allowed in Qatar, especially for non-citizens. – With Gerard Naval
