Palace: Gov't not hiding anything on Duterte arrest

The Philippine government is not concealing anything as regards the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte over crimes against humanity charges, Malacañang insisted on Thursday.

At a press conference, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the pronouncement of Senator Imee Marcos, who initiated the Senate probe into Duterte's arrest, that it seems the government witnesses were hiding essential facts about the issue. 

''Sana po malaman din po ni Senator Imee Marcos kung ano po bang ibig sabihin ng ‘executive privilege.’ Ito naman po ay—executive privilege po is a constitutional doctrine that allows the President and high-ranking officials, executive officials to withhold some sensitive information especially kung ito po ay magkakaroon na po ng encroachment ng isang branch over another branch,'' Castro explained.

(We hope Senator Imee Marcos knows the meaning of 'executive privilege.' This executive privilege is a constitutional doctrine that allows the President and high-ranking officials, executive officials to withhold some sensitive information especially if this will have an encroachment by one branch over another.)

''Kasi ito pong executive privilege is rooted from the separation of powers so may mga pagkakataon po talaga including po iyong mga issues concerning national security, diplomatic relations, military affairs and internal deliberations within the Executive Branch, hindi po ito dapat na isinasapubliko. So, magkakaroon po ito ng undue encroachment by one branch of the government over another. So, wala po tayong itinatago, may mga pagkakataon lamang po na iyong ibang mga napag-usapan ay hindi dapat isinasapubliko,'' she added. 

(This executive privilege is rooted from the separation of powers so there will really be instances, including issues concerning national security, diplomatic relations, military affairs and internal deliberations within the Executive Branch, these should not be made public. This will have an undue encroachment by one branch of the government over another. We are not hiding anything. It's just that there are certain matters that should not be made public.) 

Asked about her comment on the preliminary findings of Imee's probe over the arrest, Castro said that would be the senator's opinion since she only talked to ''Duterte supporters,'' adding that she must also speak with other legal experts. 

''Ganiyan po ang kaniyang magiging opinyon kung ang kaniyang mga nakausap ay ang mga Duterte supporters. Pero kung titingnan po natin ang ibang mga experts katulad po nina Justice (Antonio) Carpio, Atty. (Joel) Butuyan at iyong ibang mga nagsasabi patungkol sa batas natin na RA 9851, maiiba po ang kaniyang tingin sa nasabing issue,'' Castro said. 

(That would be her opinion since she talked with Duterte supporters. But, if she will also look at the views of other experts like Justice Carpio, Atty. Butuyan and others who were discussing RA 9851, she will have a different view on the issue.)

''And, sana po tingnan niya rin po kung ano ba sinasabi natin, wala tayong legal obligation pero mayroon po tayong batas na sinasabi sa RA 9851 – ito, may sinasabing prerogative na makipagtulungan sa Interpol but still, mayroon tayong commitment sa Interpol. But again, ang sumusunod lang—ang gobyerno ay sumusunod lamang sa RA 9851,'' she added. 

(I also hope that she would look into RA 9851, this states that we have the prerogative but we also have the commitment with Interpol. The government is just following RA 9851.) 

Imee said the initial findings of the Senate foreign relations committee, which she chairs, showed that there were “glaring violations on the rights” of Duterte.

It likewise concluded that the Philippines had no legal obligation to arrest Duterte and turn him over to the International Criminal Court.—AOL, GMA Integrated News