Bersamin maintains stance on executive privilege on Duterte arrest probe

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday maintained the administration's stance on executive privilege as regards the Senate's investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

''When we learned about the topics, kasi 'yung invitation ni Sen. Imee was quite specific about the topics. So, we had a look at this invitation and we determined that there were many probable or likely topics na covered by those matters that could come under 'yung executive privilege,'' Bersamin told reporters.

''So it was best to get ahead with a letter to the Senator and the Senate President so that they would be formally informed that in that hearing, our Cabinet secretaries and other executive officers will be not forced to respond to questions concerning these matters. That’s the essence of the letter,'' he added.

Marcos previously disclosed Cabinet officials would not attend the second day of hearing today, April 3, after receiving an official communication from Bersamin. She then asked the Palace to “reconsider” the decision and “allow the invited Cabinet members to attend the scheduled hearing.

During Thursday's hearing, the senator lamented the absence of Cabinet officials.

“Nirerespeto ko ang doktrina ng executive privilege pero pakantandaan natin hindi ito pwedeng gamitin bilang blanket shield, pangkalahatang pantago, para ilagan ang tanong at umiwas sa paanyaya ng Senado,” she said in her opening speech.

(I respect the doctrine of executive privilege, but let us remember that it cannot be used as a blanket shield or cover to avoid the Senate’s questions and invitation.)

“Hidden truths are unspoken lies. Ang katotohonang tinatago ay kasinunggalingan din. At mukhang ganon ang nangyayari ngayon sa pagtatago ng katotohan gamit ang executive privilege at subjudisye, nagmimustulan tuloy may cover-up sa mga nangyayari,” she added.

(Hidden truths are unspoken lies. And that seems to be what is happening now with the hiding of the truth using executive privilege and subjudice. It seems like there is a cover up with what is happening.) 

Malacañang has maintained that Cabinet officials have sufficiently answered the queries raised during the first Senate hearing held by the panel.

The elder sister of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr already released the preliminary findings of the panel’s investigation and said that there were “glaring violations on the rights” of Duterte.

Duterte, 80, faces a charge of crimes against humanity for murder over his "war on drugs" that claimed the lives of thousands.

Duterte was arrested on March 11 in Manila upon his return from Hong Kong, by virtue of an arrest warrant from ICC. He entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison on March 13 (PH time) and appeared before the ICC  via video link on the following day. —VAL, GMA Integrated News