Senator Imee Marcos will begin on March 20 an “urgent” investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“It is imperative to establish whether due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights were not upheld but protected,” the senator said in a statement yesterday.
Marcos, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, emphasized the need for clarity on how Philippine law enforcement agencies coordinate with international bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
“The Senate must address these critical concerns to uphold the country’s jurisdiction and to clarify policies governing our law enforcement agencies and their engagement with international tribunals,” she said.
“Our sovereignty and legal processes must remain paramount,” Marcos emphasized.
The senator disclosed that she invited key officials from the Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other agencies, as resource persons in the probe.
Duterte’s arrest, which the senator describes as having “deeply divided the nation,” was carried out upon the former president’s arrival in Manila from Hong Kong last March 11.
Authorities confirmed the arrest was based on a warrant issued by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it would not get in the way of the Senate investigation being spearheaded by the presidential sister.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters, ”She’s free to do that,” when asked about the impending Senate probe.
She also assured that the Palace would not prevent officials from attending the probe spearheaded by Marcos.
”If necessary. If the inquiry is in aid of legislation, we will respect the request of Senator Imee.” Castro said.
However, former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo is more cynical about Marcos’ motives for launching the probe into Duterte’s capture.
“In the first place, what will she investigate? Just to find out if it [Duterte’s arrest] was legal? My gosh! She [Sen. Marcos] may not be a lawyer but she went to school… she already knows it’s illegal,” Panelo said in Filipino.
“It’s too much… It’s clearer than daylight… she [Sen. Marcos] will do that [Senate probe] for publicity, because she is running for office,” he added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Imee Marcos seeks Senate probe on Duterte arrest.”