š· Sen. Imee Marcos
Key government officials are set to attend the upcoming Senate hearing on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Monday, April 7, signaling a potential shift in the administrationās stance on participation in legislative inquiries.
In a press briefing, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Office of the Executive Secretary has submitted a list of officials expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations headed by presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos.
“Sa ngayon po ay according po sa office po ni ES as we speak, hindi pa po ako nabibigyan ng anumang detail kung nakatanggap na po sila ng invitation,” Castro said.
“Pero nagbigay na po ng listahan ang Office of the Executive Secretary iyong maaaring dumalo po sa nasabing hearing,” she added.
Among those named were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Also included were officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The decision follows discussions between MalacaƱang and Senate President Chiz Escudero, who earlier emphasized the need for transparency in the investigation.
Castro clarified that while the Palace respects the Senateās request, officials retain the right to invoke executive privilege when necessary.
“Kung nagkausap man po sila ni Senate President Chiz Escudero, binigyan din po natin ng pagrespeto ang kaniyang hiling kaya provided of course ito ay hindi naman din tatalakay sa executive privilege na mga issues,” she said.
Pressed on whether officials could still decline to answer certain questions, Castro responded on the affirmative.
The hearing, which will scrutinize the legal basis and circumstances surrounding Duterteās arrest, marks a rare instance of high-level executive branch engagement with a Senate probe under the current administration. Observers suggest the move may reflect a balancing act between cooperation and safeguarding presidential prerogatives. (TCSP)
