BATO TO LAUNCH OWN PROBE INTO WAR ON DRUGS

SENATOR Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday said that he will launch a motu proprio investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said this after Sen. Bong Go mentioned that he is willing to file a resolution to conduct a probe into the matter parallel to the investigation by the House Quad Committee.

He said his committee will start the investigation before  the regular session resumes on Nov. 4, adding former President Rodrigo Duterte could be one of their resource persons.

Dela Rosa was among those tagged in the House Quad Committee investigation as being one of the perpetrators of reward system for every drug suspect killed during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Aside from Dela Rosa, Sen. Go was also named by resource persons in the Quad probe.

Meanwhile  one of the House Quad Committee  leaders expressed doubt over Dela Rosa’s ability to conduct a fair Senate investigation into his former boss’ alleged bloody war on drugs.

Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police during Duterte’s term.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., co-chair of the Quad Committee and chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said Dela Rosa’s close ties with Duterte could compromise the integrity of the Senate investigation.

Dela Rosa said he is planning to invite Duterte, saying that the former President may likely attend “because he’s more comfortable with the Senate compared to the House of Representatives.”

“I don’t think he will not attend if I will be the one inviting him,” Dela Rosa said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said it is “essential” to include Duterte in the planned Senate investigation to “ensure justice and transparency” in the proceedings.

Estrada said it is not the first time that a former president has been invited to the Senate, citing the case of his own father, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

“The testimony of the former president on the issue is crucial in uncovering the truth and ensuring that justice is served for all affected parties,” he said.

“Mahalaga na mabigyan ng boses ang lahat lalo na kung ang layunin ng imbestigasyon ay linawin ang mga hakbang na ginawa ng nakaraang administrasyon,” he added.