All eyes will be on the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chaired by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as it is scheduled to hold its fourth “Motu Proprio” hearing tomorrow, May 20, at 10:00 a.m.
It will be a continuation of the Senate committee’s probe on the alleged leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) pertaining to a supposed anti-illegal drug operations conducted by the agency back in 2012 that linked several personalities to illegal drug use, among them, then senator Bongbong Marcos, Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano.
While questions about the authenticity of these documents persist, Senator Dela Rosa has asserted that they are genuine—simply because of… punch-hole marks on the photo copies. (“It’s not fabricated because the photocopy was clear, and you can see the punch holes where the paper fastener went through,” Dela Rosa said in an interview on Radio 630 last May 1.)
With the previous three hearings that produced nothing but entertainment, accusations and counter-accusations, many are wondering if the fourth one will be of any difference. The seeming lack of direction and chaotic conduct of these hearing has prompted some legislators – both from the Senate and the House of Representatives- to express concern that the ongoing proceedings may affect the credibility of the Senate as an institution in conducting investigations in aid of legislation.
Some congressmen, in fact, has urged Dela Rosa to already conclude its hearings. But he is adamant, calling on fellow lawmakers to respect his committee chairmanship and the freedom to decide when to stop its investigations.
“Please, ako nakikiusap sa aking mga kasamahan na bigyan niyo rin ako ng kaukulang discretion as to when to stop my investigation and as to who are going to be invited,” the senator said. “Sana respetuhin rin nila ‘yung pagiging chairman ko ng aking committee dahil nirerespeto ko rin naman ‘yung kanilang pagiging chairman sa kanilang committee.”
I concur with Senator Bato. As the committee’s leader, he has the discretion when to conclude the inquiry. However, it’s also essential to recognize that attentive listening to colleagues does not diminish his leadership qualities. And continuing these series of hearings under “Motu Propio” is not at all ideal.
Motu proprio,” translated literally from Latin, means “on one’s own initiative.” In legislative proceedings, “Motu proprio” hearings are convened without a formal resolution. Traditionally, this legislative privilege is exercised during congressional recess.
Dela Rosa conducted its inaugural hearing on April 30, even though Congress had already resumed its session after the Holy Week break. A similar scenario unfolded during the August 2023 “Motu Proprio” investigation into the severe maltreatment of Elvie Vergara, a maid in Occidental Mindoro. Sen. Francis Tolentino, then the chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presided over a series of hearings while the Senate was in session.
On multiple occasions, I believe, some senators—many of them newcomers—have invoked “Motu Proprio” for investigations even when Congress was not close to adjournment. This departure from established legislative procedures, in place since Congress’s institutionalization in 1987, warrants reconsideration. Perhaps it is time for senators to uphold tradition once again.
If Sen. Dela Rosa wishes to continue the probe, he should take heed of his friend Sen. Chiz Escudero’s advice: file a resolution on the subject matter and allow it to follow the normal process—namely, passing through the Committee on Rules and referral to the sub-plenary for further consideration.
“Sa mga nagdaang panahon, ang tradisyon ng Senado ay kapag nag-resume na ng session ay dapat maghain na ng resolusyon sa paksang ‘yon para ma-refer na sa tamang komite. Dahil bagaman saklaw ‘yan ng jurisdiction ng committee ngayon ni Senator Bato, desisyon ng Committee on Rules sa ilalim ng aming rules ang pagpapasya kung saan at ilang komite ire-refer ‘yan at sino ang lead committee. Hindi maaari na pinagpapasyahan lang ‘yan ng isang chairman,” Escudero said in a recent media interview.
