By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero on Friday (April 11, 2025) signed a show cause order against Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus V. Lacanilao.
Escudero directed Lacanilao to explain why he should not be cited in contempt for “testifying falsely and evasively” during a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
The Senate President gave Lacanilao five days from receipt of the order to respond, following the committee’s recommendation for a contempt citation made on April 10, 2025, upon the motion of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
“Ambassador Lacanilao is hereby ordered to show cause within five (5) days from receipt of this order why he should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms,” Escudero said.
He also instructed the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to report to the Senate President’s Office within 24 hours of serving the order.
“This show cause order is a necessary step to ensure accountability and reinforce the principles of transparency and justice that guide our work,” Escudero earlier noted.
“I shall decide on whether or not to sign his arrest and detention only thereafter,” he added.
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