MANILA – Malacañang on Friday expressed gratitude to the Senate for holding a hearing on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, as it helped clarify legal matters for the public.
“Unang-una po, nagpapasalamat po tayo na nagkaroon po ng Senate hearing patungkol dito. Mas naliwanagan ang taumbayan kung ano ba ang nangyari (First of all, we are thankful that a Senate hearing was held regarding this. The public has been enlightened about what happened),” Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
The hearing, led by Senator Imee Marcos, aimed to clarify the roles of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and various government agencies in Duterte’s arrest.
The hearing also sought to confirm that Duterte’s rights under domestic laws and treaties were protected and to examine coordination between Philippine authorities and international law enforcement.
When asked about who ordered the implementation of Duterte’s arrest, Castro said she has no personal knowledge.
“Kung sinuman po ang nag-utos, wala po tayong personal knowledge diyan. Kung ano po napag-usapan, wala parin po tayong personal knowledge diyan. Kung naganap na po ang dapat na naganap, yan po ay naaayon po sa batas,” (Whoever gave the order, we have no personal knowledge on that. Regarding what was discussed, we still have no personal knowledge on that. If what was supposed to happen has already happened, then it is in accordance with the law),” she said. PNA
