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Duterte bars Cabinet from attending Senate probe
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered his Cabinet members to obtain presidential clearance before attending any Senate hearings.
Duterte stated that he will prohibit officials from attending if he believes the invitation serves no purpose other than to harass or berate them.
He acknowledged the Senate's authority to investigate for legislative purposes but cited instances where resource persons, particularly from the Department of Health, waited long hours without testifying.
The President asserted his power to prevent Cabinet officials from attending hearings, even if it means overriding potential contempt citations.
This directive comes amidst ongoing Senate investigations into the administration's pandemic response, including alleged corruption and the involvement of Michael Yang.
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