COLLATING evidence on extrajudicial killings during the previous administration is no longer a tall order for the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the House of Representatives made a generous offer to “share” proofs and testimonies that would be presented in the quad-committee hearings on the offshore gaming operations, illegal drug trade and human rights violations.
In a press briefing, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers in his capacity as chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, made a commitment to open the quad-committee hearings for everyone — including the ICC which has been investigating allegations of extrajudicial killing during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Barbers particularly hinted at the transcripts of discussions between lawmakers and invited resource persons including the family of slain drug suspects.
‘Our hearings are public hearings. Since the nature of public hearings — because of public interest — therefore records of such hearings would be out in the public,” Barbers told reporters.
“Anyone can use the transcript or maybe even records of the hearings. As to how they are going to use it, that is not within our realm. If the ICC would want to use this, it’s up to them, as these are public records,” he added.
However, Barber’s stand doesn’t seem to sit well with Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. in his capacity as chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, who would rather want the ICC to collate its own materials for the probe.
But moments after, Abante retracted and agreed on allowing the ICC to use whatever would be gathered during the congressional hearing. He however clarified that he won’t extend help of any kind.
“Actually I made a statement that my hearing is domestic. We would like this to be heard para we could be able to resolve this domestically. I’m not going to allow the ICC to use the Committee on Human Rights,” he said.
“Let them submit on their own as the President said that we do not recognize the ICC in the Philippines right now. So it’s up to them to investigate, but I’m not going to allow the committee on human rights to be used by the ICC for their own investigation,” he added. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
