Senate probe into Duterte's drug war starts Oct 28

Senate President Francis Escudero dismissed concerns about bias in the upcoming Senate probe into former president Rodrigo Duterte's drug war on Tuesday.

Escudero emphasized that Senator Koko Pimentel will chair the blue ribbon committee, ensuring fairness despite the Senate being in recess and taking motu proprio jurisdiction over the issue.

Concerns were raised over Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Bong Go’s involvement due to their roles in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign; however, Escudero said they may attend and defend themselves during the hearings scheduled to start on October 28.

Pimentel assured that he will handle the proceedings objectively based on evidence presented, unlike the House's quad committee hearings which focus solely on the Duterte administration’s drug war.

Families of alleged extrajudicial killings victims, retired police colonels Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo, former president Rodrigo Duterte, self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, former senator Leila de Lima, and Col. Jovie Espenido are among the resource persons expected to attend the first public hearing.