Metro Manila, Philippines— Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Risa Hontiveros exchanged sharp words during a Senate investigation on the previous administration’s war on drugs on Oct. 28, Monday.
Hontiveros pressed Duterte to clarify his statements early on in the hearing where he claimed full responsibility for abuses and failures in the anti-drug campaign.
“Do you assume responsibility for the death of Kian delos Santos?” Hontiveros asked, referring to a 17-year-old student falsely accused of involvement in illegal drugs and killed by police in 2017
“No,” Duterte responded.
“How about Karl Anthony Nunez?” Hontiveros continued, to which Duterte interrupted, stating he would explain further before, as he put it, Hontiveros continued with her “rambling.” This did not sit well with Hontiveros.
“Specific ang sinasabi ko. Killing is personal. Magtanong ka muna sa abogado,” said Duterte.
[Translation: “I am being specific. Killing is personal. Consult a lawyer first]
“Killing is personal hindi mo pwede ipasa sa iba,” he added.
[Translation: “Killing is personal; you cannot pass it on to someone else.]
Hontiveros maintained that the Senate is investigating the impact of Duterte’s drug war and associated extrajudicial killings, basing her questions on Duterte’s previous remarks.
Duterte then pointed at Hontiveros, requesting Senator Koko Pimentel, the chairperson, to address her conduct.
“Can the resource person not point his finger at a committee member?” Hontiveros objected.
Pimentel subsequently suspended the hearing, but tensions lingered.
“Hindi mo nakuha ang policy ng presidente, I was talking about the policy. I take full responsibility pero yung magpasok ka ng specific crimes hindi pwede yan at kung sabihin ko I will take responsibility pagdating sa korte hindi naman tatanggapin yan,” Duterte raised his voice.
[Translation: “You did not understand the president’s policy. I was speaking about the policy. I take full responsibility. But when you bring in specific crimes, that cannot be accepted. If I claim responsibility in court, it will not be acknowledged.]
Duterte later accused Hontiveros of trying to incriminate him.
After the break, Duterte acknowledged raising his voice and asked for understanding on his demeanor.
