Duterte's attendance in Senate's drug war probe still unsure —Koko

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's presence on Monday's Senate probe on his war against illegal drugs is still unsure, according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

“Medyo nagalanganin na raw. Pero better to just wait for Monday para actual natin malaman kung naroon ba o wala,” Pimentel, who served as Senate President during Duterte’s term as President, said.

(I heard he is having second thoughts. Better wait for Monday to be sure.)

Pimentel’s announcement contradicts the earlier statement of Senator Ronald dela Rosa who said Duterte will attend Monday's probe. 

Dela Rosa even said earlier that the former Chief Executive was "well enough" to show up in the probe.

Pimentel, meanwhile, said "everyone is already excited" for next week's hearing. 

“Excited na [ang] lahat. Ang haba na ng invited guests,” Pimentel. who will lead the Senate panel which will conduct the probe, told reporters. 

(All are excited, there are a lot of invited guests.)

Pimentel also said that while dela Rosa expressed willingness to be questioned in the same probe given his previous role as Philippine National Police chief, it is an inevitable choice for his colleague.

“Wala namang choice si Senator Bato but to share his experiences under the drug war with the committee,” Pimentel said.

(He has no choice but to share his experience.)

Garma

Aside from Duterte, the Senate has also invited retired police officer Royina Garma, who earlier testified before the House Quad Committee about the supposed "Davao model," where "rewards" were supposedly given for every suspect killed. 

Garma claimed that Duterte wanted to implement that system to the entire country.

Duterte, however, has denied Garma’s accusations.

“‘Yang sinasabi nilang reward, walang reward ‘yan. Hindi ako magbibigay ng reward,” he said told Sonshine Media Network International. 

(There was no reward. I will never give a reward.) 

“Ang pinakaano [ng mga pulis] sa akin is ‘pag mission accomplished, yayain ko sila sa restaurant, magkain kami and I congratulate them. Tsaka palainom ang pulis. Bigyan mo ng dalawang boteng scotch…hindi ‘yan tatanggap ng pera. Nahihiya ‘yan,” he added. 

(If their mission is accomplished, I treat the police to the restaurant and I congratulate them. Knowing cops, they are heavy drinkers. You just give them two bottles of scotch, and they will never accept any money.) 

After the said denial, Garma spilled that Duterte called her after her explosive testimony to explain why he wanted an Iglesia Ni Cristo member to lead the national drug war police operations.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News