Duterte's Senate drug war probe attendance uncertain

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's attendance at the Senate's drug war probe remains uncertain with the hearing set for October 28 or Monday next week.

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel stated that Duterte would only be invited to testify after specific allegations are made and laid out during hearings, indicating his presence is still unclear as of Thursday.

In contrast, Senator Bato dela Rosa, a close friend and ally of the Dutertes, asserted with certainty that Duterte will attend the Senate hearing following a conversation last week.

Retired Police Colonel Royina Garma, former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, and Bureau of Corrections Senior Superintendent Gerardo Padilla are likely to be invited as resource persons in the investigation prior to Duterte's potential testimony.

The probe will cover killings from 2016 until the end of Duterte's term in 2022, with Garma previously testifying about a supposed 'Davao model' where rewards were given for every suspect killed, which Duterte has denied.

Senator Leila de Lima criticized Senator Bong Go's plan for a motu proprio drug war inquiry, calling it 'self-serving' and unlikely to gain currency.