House panel invites ICC to use drug war hearing records

House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chair Robert Ace Barbers said Thursday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is free to use public records from ongoing hearings related to the Duterte administration's 'war on drugs'.

Barbers noted that legislative hearings are public, and anyone can access transcripts or recordings for their own investigations.

The upcoming joint investigation by four committees will focus on the connection between Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), illegal drugs, crime associated with them, and alleged human rights violations during Duterte's anti-drug campaign.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido 'Benny' Abante stated that while he prefers the ICC to source their own materials for their probe, he acknowledged that if the ICC uses their hearing records, it would be up to them.

Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa declined an invitation to testify before the joint hearing, citing interparliamentary courtesy traditions between both houses of Congress.

Abante defended the committee's right to examine Dela Rosa's actions as PNP chief during Duterte's administration, particularly regarding deaths linked to the anti-drug campaign.