Senate panel powerless to cite Rody in contempt

Former president Rodrigo Duterte was not cited in contempt for his foul language and rude behavior during the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing on his bloody drug war last Monday because the subcommittee has no powers to do so, according to presiding chair Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.

- MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Pimentel said he would move to amend the Senate rules which do not give subcommittees the same contempt powers granted to the main standing committees.

"The subcommittee realized after the hearing that under Section 20 of our rules, it has no power to cite a resource person in contempt. Before we hold a second hearing, we need to empower the subcommittee to cite persons in contempt and amend this section,” Pimentel said in a dwIZ interview yesterday.

He welcomed Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ warning to have Duterte cited in contempt if he would again spew profanities at the next hearing.

“If push comes to shove, that is always among the broad powers of the committee – cite a resource person for unruly behavior. In our investigation on extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs, no one – not even a former president – is above the law,” Hontiveros told The Philippine STAR’s online show “Truth on the Line,” launched on Thursday, Oct. 31.