Rappler
House asks ex-Duterte officials to explain absence during probe on China secret deal
House committees have ordered past administration officials to explain their absence from a hearing investigating the alleged "gentleman's agreement" between former President Duterte and China concerning Ayungin Shoal.
The House Committee on National Defense and Security and the Committee on the West Philippine Sea issued the directive during a hearing on Monday.
Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop stated that House protocol requires issuing a show-cause order to resource persons who fail to attend hearings without acceptable excuses.
Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon were invited to attend.
Only Medialdea sent a representative to the hearing, while the others provided explanations through different channels or have yet to respond.
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Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea denied allegations of a "gentleman's agreement" between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that no such pact was made during their official meetings.
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Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea claims that a "gentleman's agreement" with China regarding Ayungin Shoal was made during the Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III presidency.
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A House of Representatives panel has issued a show-cause order against Michael Yang, an adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, for failing to attend a hearing on a P3.6 billion drug bust.
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