Duterte declines House hearing citing costs, lawmakers offer to pay

Former President Rodrigo Duterte declined to attend the House Quad Committee hearing, citing financial constraints and doubts about the committee's integrity.

Duterte's legal counsel sent a letter stating the former president's reservations and inability to cover travel expenses, mentioning he lives on his retirement pay.

In response to Duterte's financial concerns, members of the House Quad Committee, including Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Rep. Dan Fernandez, Rep. Benny Abante Jr., Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Rep. Romeo Acop, Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and Rep. Danilo Suarez, offered to shoulder his airfare, accommodations, and expenses for his entourage.

Quad committee leaders stated the offer aims to remove any financial barriers that prevented Duterte from attending the hearing.

Despite the offer, House Quad Committee co-chair Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano expressed frustration, suggesting Duterte might be intentionally avoiding accountability and questioning if he is afraid to attend.