SENATOR BATO FIRM ON DECISION NOT TO ATTEND HOUSE PROBE

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa remains steadfast in his decision not to attend the House of Representatives inquiry on the war on drugs.

“Even if they say it’s a committee of the whole, I still won’t attend—whether it’s the entire House or a committee of the whole—because I don’t want to set a precedent that violates the tradition of inter-parliamentary courtesy between both houses of Congress,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

When asked if he had spoken with former President Rodrigo Duterte about his decision to attend the House probe, Dela Rosa said he was unsure.

“I don’t know. But he has made a public statement that he won’t attend,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa served as the Philippine National Police chief during the implementation of Duterte’s drug war.

In addition to the issue of extrajudicial killings, the House also aims to investigate the possible links between the drug trade and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

(ia/mnm)