Cabinet members to attend Imee probe - Chiz

Cabinet members and other government officials who skipped the second Senate investigation on April 3 into the legality of the International Criminal Court arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, will attend the continuation of the probe on April 10, Senate President Francis Escudero has said.

- By CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Escudero said he decided to facilitate communication between the executive department and the Senate to avoid conflict between the two co-equal branches of government, after Sen. Imee Marcos pushed through with the committee on foreign affairs' investigation into Duterte's arrest.

"Didn't I say the hearing shouldn't add more conflict, arguments, and disputes? Didn't I mention that this should be a source of unity, healing and deeper understanding, as much as possible? That can only happen if the questions can be answered without the need for confrontation using executive privilege on one side, and Senate subpoenas on the other," the Senate President said in Filipino in an interview over dzBB.

Escudero said he facilitated the communication between the executive department and the Senate.

"I decided to facilitate communication between the executive department and the Senate, and the hearing has been moved to April 10, where the officials invited by Senator Imee will attend," he said.

Escudero, however, said the committee has requested several people, including Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Nicolas Torre III, who must be present in the hearing as the lead officer in the arrest of Duterte on March 11.