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Sink or swim with Duterte – Bato
By Nidz Godino
“My loyalty to that person will go forever and ever… I will sink or swim with president Duterte,” Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said with more investigations on previous administration’s deadly campaign against illegal drugs on horizon, has professed his undying loyalty to his former boss, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Despite this loyalty to the former president and apparent conflict of interest the senator believes he would be able to lead Senate investigation on drug war, he implemented as Duterte’s first chief of police.
“I have function that I have to do as chairman of Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, so I know where I stand,” he stressed.
Dela Rosa is open to proposals for investigation to be conducted by Senate possibly convened as committee of the whole.
“I have no problem with that… I’m OK with that… If they will question my motu proprio investigation on PDEA ,Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency leaks that was suspended, we can talk about it,” he added.
Dela Rosa was referring to his committee’s previous investigation on supposed leaked documents that linked several high-profile personalities, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to illegal drugs.
According to the senator, if his committee’s inquiry into drug war pushes through, it will be continuation of PDEA leaks probe and will not start from scratch.
Dela Rosa was initially hesitant to conduct probe on drug war, but realized there was need for “checks and balances” given ongoing quad committee investigations at House of Representatives.
Several witnesses, including retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chief Royina Garma, bared details of supposed reward system implemented during drug war.
“I see that the lies being told at Lower House are getting out of hand…somehow, we want to see at Senate if they will be consistent in what they will say,” he said, referring to witness testimonies.
He earlier said that Duterte may be more comfortable attending investigation at Senate than at House of Representatives.
For former Senate president Franklin Drilon, plan of Dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go to lead investigations will put Senate’s credibility on line.
Like Dela Rosa, Go also has close ties with Duterte. He served as special assistant to the president until 2019, when he was elected senator.
“Credibility of Senate as institution is at stake… public will not believe that it will be in aid of legislation because they were mentioned in House hearings,” Drilon said .
He said investigation by committee of the whole is better option. But it can only be convened once Senate resumes session on Nov. 4, he pointed out.
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