Duterte expected to face Senate probe today

Will there be a face-off between former senator Leila de Lima and former president Rodrigo Duterte in today’s first inquiry of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee on the country’s war on illegal drugs?

- By CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Both De Lima and Duterte have, as resource persons, reportedly confirmed their respective attendance at the public hearing of the Blue Ribbon committee to be presided over by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.

Duterte’s attendance was confirmed earlier by his first Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, considered the architect of the intensified drug campaign.

De Lima’s attendance to today’s Senate hearing was assured in the media advisory of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list, where the former senator is running as its first nominee. De Lima, who served as the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, was one of the critics of Duterte’s war on drugs.

She was arrested and jailed for about seven years during Duterte’s presidency over allegations of illegal drug activities. De Lima was eventually cleared of all charges.