Senate President Chiz Escudero lambasted Senator Imee Marcos for allegedly using the senate for her political advancement when she claimed he refused to sign the contempt order against Special Envoy to Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao.
Lacanilao was cited in contempt after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations investigated the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, deeming his statement “very misleading.”
He claimed to represent Interpol, but custody documents revealed he signed as a representative of the Philippines.
Senators were also upset by his assertion that he did not know if Duterte was brought to a local court before being flown to The Hague, Netherlands.
Escudero clarified that he did not refuse to sign the contempt order but simply had not received a copy of it before Marcos publicly announced his supposed refusal.
He emphasized that the Senate President’s approval is required for contempt citations, citing due process concerns.
To address these concerns, Escudero issued a show-cause order, giving Lacanilao five days to explain why he should not be cited in contempt.
Due to Escudero’s decision, Lacanilao was released from detention after just over two hours since the contempt order was not signed.
Escudero accused Marcos of using the Senate for personal political objectives, urging her to stop leveraging the institution for propaganda or self-promotion.
He stressed that the Senate is a place of reason and rules, not a tool for personal gain.
“I will not allow the Senate or the Office of the Senate President to further petty partisan interests, especially by those actively seeking reelection in the upcoming midterm polls,” Escudero said.
(Senate of the Philippines photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.