The House Quad-Committee has postponed its much-anticipated investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, initially scheduled for November 13, pushing it to November 21. Duterte had planned to appear in person to address questions from lawmakers, marking a rare opportunity for him to discuss his administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign publicly.
The sudden rescheduling has sparked backlash from Duterte’s camp, with a member of his staff accusing the committee of “power tripping” and questioning the abrupt change. “To all of you in the House Quad-Committee, what are you doing? Power tripping?” stated a member of Duterte’s team. “It’s not easy for him to arrange travel from Davao to Manila and back, especially without private jets and choppers like you have.”
The former president arrived in Manila on November 10 to prepare for the hearing. He received the committee’s invitation the same day, even though it was a non-working day. The invitation, signed by the committee’s chairperson, caught Duterte’s team by surprise, yet they arranged for him to be in the capital.
Quad-Committee Faces Accusations Following Rescheduling
Duterte’s staff suggested that the Quad-Committee rescheduled the hearing due to unease over the former president’s unexpected arrival in Manila. They questioned the committee’s last-minute decision to delay, implying it may have been a strategic move to avoid confrontation.
In response, the Quad-Committee extended its apologies to Duterte for the change. However, the committee has yet to provide a detailed explanation for the sudden postponement. The investigation seeks to delve into the alleged human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s war on drugs, an initiative that sparked both domestic and international criticism during his presidency.
Rescheduled Inquiry Holds Significance Amid Public Scrutiny
Duterte’s attendance at the House inquiry is seen as a significant step toward transparency regarding his administration’s anti-drug operations, which reportedly led to thousands of deaths. His appearance would give him a platform to respond directly to accusations and clarify his stance on the controversial campaign. The rescheduling has left many questioning the motives behind the delay, heightening public anticipation for the November 21 hearing.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.