黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥斅營nstead of probing the Duterte administration鈥檚 drug war in the Senate, why not bring it to court?

This is Sen. Imee Marcos鈥� recommendation when asked about Sen. Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� dela Rosa鈥檚 plan to lead a motu proprio investigation into the drug war. Dela Rosa was the first chief of the Philippine National Police appointed by then-president Rodrigo Duterte. He was also the chief implementer of the drug war.

鈥淢aybe it would be better if we bring it to court if there is already enough evidence. Let鈥檚 bring it to court so that it would not be labeled partisan, self-serving, or otherwise untruthful,鈥� Marcos said in Filipino at the聽Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.

鈥淚鈥檓 nervous that it will be called self-serving. Then we鈥檒l clash with the [House of Representatives]. I think it should be clear to us what the jobs of the three branches of government are,鈥� she added.

READ: Bong Go wants Senate to probe Duterte admin鈥檚 drug war

According to Marcos, a great deal of evidence has 鈥渁lready come forward鈥� at the House of Representatives鈥� quad committee investigation into the drug war.

She, however, noted the need to identify which legislation could be produced.

鈥淚t (congressional probe) should be in aid of legislation. I am looking at laws that could be amended, changed, and added here. That鈥檚 what I am thinking about,鈥� she said in Filipino.

Duterte and Dela Rosa have been accused of committing a crime against humanity by the families of drug war victims before the International Criminal Court.

READ: Bato dela Rosa urged to explain role in Duterte 鈥榙rug war鈥� before ICC

During the House quad panel鈥檚 hearing on Oct. 11, retired police colonel Royina Garma said Sen. Christopher Lawrence 鈥淏ong鈥� Go, Duterte鈥檚 former aide,聽allegedly coordinated with National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in setting up a system to give police officers cash incentives for every drug suspect in the drug list killed.

搁贰础顿:听Bong Go鈥檚 aide summoned to next House hearing on drug war

Marcos said Dela Rosa and Go have a right to defend themselves, but she also stressed the importance of swift justice.

鈥淚 think the Department of Justice is competent, at this point, to make a case with the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation. Perhaps, prosecution is in order. It has been a long time and we are well aware that as cases linger, evidence grows cold, testimonies become stale, and witnesses disappear so we really need to rush this,鈥� she explained in Filipino.