Bato: Chiz said I didn't have to attend House probe on war on drugs

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said he would not attend the House of Representatives investigation into the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa said this was upon the advice of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, whose guidance he sought as regards the House inquiry.

"I sought the advice of the Senate President on what to do... I can face them anytime. But still, I have to follow the guidance of the Senate President being a member of the institution," Dela Rosa said.

"Ang kanya namang sagot, ‘No, you don’t have to attend'," he added. (He said I didn't have to attend.)

Dela Rosa said Escudero told him he didn't have to attend the House hearing because senators couldn't attend the proceedings and break inter-parliamentary courtesy each time their names were mentioned.

He said he was only following the tradition in the Senate to follow the Senate President/

"We have to seek guidance because that is an enshrined practice, a tradition among chambers of the legislature to observe inter-parliamentary courtesy," Dela Rosa said. 

Dela Rosa said those who are saying that he and former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for their roles in the campaign against illegal drugs should file the appropriate cases in Philippine courts. 

"If she has the goods, then by all means you have to file the case against us... We are ready to face any court dito sa Pilipinas," Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa was Duterte's first chief of the Philippine National Police under his administration. —NB, GMA Integrated News