Brosas, Castro question Duterte's absence in QuadComm probe: Takot ba siya?

Two opposition lawmakers on Tuesday questioned former President Rodrigo Duterte's absence in the day's Quad Committee (QuadComm) hearing on his administration's war on drugs.

"Takot ba siya na harapin ang taumbayan (is he afraid to face the public)?" said House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas during the hearing, noting the thousands killed during Duterte's bloody campaign against illegal narcotics.

In his letter sent to the QuadComm through his counsel Martin Delgra III, Duterte said he is not feeling well but noted that he is willing to attend future hearings.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro hinted that the erstwhile leader may just be using his health as an excuse.

"Kung totoong walang tinatago si dating Pangulong Duterte, bakit hindi niya harapin ang mga tanong ng komite? Bakit kailangan pa niyang magtago sa likod ng mga dahilan tulad ng 'health issues' at 'short notice'?" she said.
 
(If former President Duterte is really not hiding something, why can't he face the questions of the committee? Why the need to hide behind health issues and short notice?)

Brosas said Duterte's absence in the day's hearing hindered the people's right to know and denied them the opportunity to seek justice for the crimes being linked to the drug war.

"Hindi puwedeng sabihin na short notice at masama ang pakiramdam at kailangan ng pahinga. Ang mga pamilya nga ng mga biktima, kahit matanda na tulad ni Tatay Baylon, ay pumunta rito para magpahayag ng kanilang saloobin," she said.

(He cannot say it was on short notice and he was not feeling well. The families of the victims, even if they are already very old like Tatay Baylon, came here to express their sentiments.) 

Brosas was referring to Rodrigo Baylon, father of the nine-year-old Lenin who was killed in an anti-drug police operation in pursuit of two drug suspects.

The elder Baylon has called on the former President to take responsibility for the drug war deaths.

"Ang akin pong anak, kailanman, never pong na-involve sa drugs. Unang-una, siyam na taon po ito, nag-aaral, Grade 4. Gusto po niyang makatapos ng pag-aaral, para maging guro na makakapagbigay ng dagdag kaalaman,” Baylon told reporters in an interview.

(My son had never been involved in drugs. First, he was only nine years old, a Grade 4 student. He wanted to finish his studies to become a teacher.)

Face the music

Meanwhile, former Senator Leila de Lima, who was present during Tuesday's hearing, said she is wishing Duterte well so he can "face the music."

"Well, I hope he gets well so he would have the health to face the music," she said.

House Committee on Human Rights chairperson Representative Bienvenido Abante echoed De Lima in wishing for Duterte's wellness.

"Get well soon para makapunta kayo sa susunod na hearing. Sana po sa pagpunta niyo rito, maraming mga katanungan ang maari niyo pong sagutin," Abante said.

(I wish he gets well soon so he can come here in the next hearing to answer many questions.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News