CHIZ TO IMEE: DON’T USE SENATE FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL OBJECTIVE

SENATE President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Friday told Senator Imee Marcos not to use the Senate as a platform for her personal political objectives.

The Senate leader urged the female senator to instead use her name, title, and influence as a bridge toward unity, not a wedge for division.

“Our people and our country expect and deserve no less,” he said.

Escudero issued the statement after Marcos  expressed her disappointment over his supposed refusal to sign a contempt order against Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Ambassador Markus Lacanilao during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The committee, which is investigating the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, is chaired by Marcos.

During the hearing, Lacanilao was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the panel for allegedly lying.

The motion to cite Lacanilao in contempt was made by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa after he and Marcos questioned him about the International Criminal Court (ICC) Transfer of Custody document filled out by the envoy for Duterte’s arrest as the Philippine government’s representative.  

According to Escudero, all members of the Senate are fully aware that under the Rules of the Senate, the power of a committee chairperson to order the arrest or detention of any resource person cited in contempt is subject to the approval of the Senate President.

This safeguard exists to ensure that the powers of the Senate are exercised prudently with due regard for the rights of all and not wielded for personal or political ends.

Escudero said that for reasons unknown, Marcos appears to have disregarded the longstanding rule or conveniently forgotten it that the approval of the Senate President is not automatic nor ministerial simply because she desires it.

“For the record, I did not refuse to sign the contempt order of Ambassador Markus Lacanilao. Senator Marcos released her statement and flaunted to the media her signed arrest and detention order even before I could see, much less, receive a copy of it,” the Senate leader said.

Escudero said Lacanilao was ordered detained without the requisite approval and due process, stating that no less than Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has succinctly pointed out in his concurring opinion in the Ong case that witnesses accused by Congress of “giving false or evasive testimony” must be accorded stricter due process requirements, none of which was apparently accorded to Lacanilao before he was ordered detained.

After several hours of Lacanilao’s unauthorized detention, Escudero said that he directed the envoy’s release, both as a matter of regularity and out of humanitarian consideration as the ambassador’s grandfather is to be laid to rest today.

“In order to comply with the requisites of due process, I am issuing a “show cause order” today for Ambassador Lacanilao to explain within 5 days why he should not be cited in contempt as requested by Sen. Imee Marcos,” Escudero said.

“I shall decide on whether or not to sign his arrest/detention only thereafter,” he added.

Escudero assured the public that he will review the committee proceedings and will exercise his duty and discretion in accordance with the law to determine their propriety devoid of political agenda or motivation, and with the best interest of  the  people, the country, and the Senate as an institution in mind.

“I will not allow the Senate nor the Office of the Senate President to be used to further petty partisan interests, especially by those actively seeking reelection in the coming May midterm polls,” Escudero stressed.

He said the Senate is an institution of reason and rule and not a tool to be leveraged for propaganda or self-promotion.

“Senator Marcos says that this episode sets a terrible precedent, and I concur, but for different reasons,” said the Senate head.

“I believe it is a dangerous precedent to allow senators to flout the Senate’s own rules for personal gain,” he explained.

“For when procedures meant to safeguard due process and institutional integrity are ignored for media mileage or political ambition, that is when the credibility of the Senate is threatened, Escudero warned.