Former President Rodrigo Duterte testifies at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs on October 28, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Two co-chairmen of the House quadruple committee are convinced that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement saying he takes “full legal, moral responsibility” for the drug war can be used as basis to file a case against him.

• At Senate probe, Duterte allies and critics clash on legacy of bloody drug war

In a press conference on Tuesday, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez said Duterte may have violated Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity. 

“Duterte’s admission in the Senate hearing, made spontaneously and as an admission against interest, is binding upon him. This must be recognized as evidence,” Abante said. “It is now up to the proper authorities to consider this statement carefully and ascertain the criminal liability of the responsible individuals.”

They said this time, Duterte’s camp cannot claim that he was merely joking or giving a figure of speech.

“Tapusin na natin mga joke-joke. Once magsabi ka ng ganun that’s it,” Fernandez said.

Aside from Duterte, other personalities allegedly involved in the drug war such as Senator Ronald Dela Rosa may also be charged, according to Abante. 

Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration. 

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro urged the Senate to submit Duterte’s affidavit and the recording of Monday’s hearing to the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is investigating the drug war.

“His confession about maintaining a death squad and encouraging extrajudicial killings demands full cooperation with the ICC because as it is justice is still hard to come by in our country especially when one is dealing with the former president,” Castro said in a statement. 

Lawyer Kristina Conti, ICC Assistant to Counsel, said Duterte’s pronouncements are admissible in court. 

“Dalawa lang naman ang tanong diyan—is it relevant? Is it material? Relevant o kadikit ba? O may relasyon ba ‘yan doon sa pinag-uusapan na investigation sa ICC ni Duterte? Material, importante ba yang iharap sa ICC? Yes! Kasi ito na mismo ‘yung mga sinasabi niya,” Conti explained.

Abante and Fernandez, however, said the House quadcomm will not help ICC. 

“Mas maganda na domestically na lang siya ma-prosecute,” Abante said. “Para ‘pag halimbawa ang DOJ nagsabi na merong prima facie evidence na dapat siya ay ma-prosecute at chinarge ng court dito, hindi na siya papatawan ng ICC. Sapagkat meron na ditong tinatawag na proper judgment na ginagawa ng ating bansa” 

NOVEMBER 6 HEARING 

The House quadcomm will resume its hearing on November 6 and hopes Duterte, Dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go will attend.

“Sen. Bato, Sen. Go, kung talagang matapang kayo, kung naniniwala kayo na wala kayong sala, then show some real real delicadeza and appear at our hearings, where your statements can be challenged and cross-examined,” Abante said. 

He and Fernandez believe the Senate hearing’s credibility was affected by the presence of Dela Rosa and Go.   

“Common sense dictates don’t be a part of any investigation that ikaw mismo involved. Kung ako ma-involve I will inhibit my self and transfer my responsibility to my vice chair I think mababawasan talaga ang credibility ng investigation,” Fernandez said. 

Dela Rosa and Go have not yet given a comment.

GRIJALDO ALLEGATION

Abante and Fernandez, meanwhile, denied coercing Police Col. Hector Grijaldo to sign an affidavit that will confirm the testimony of retired Police Colonel Royina Garma. 

• Cop claims lawmakers forced him to confirm drug war rewards system

One of Garma’s allegations in the quadcomm hearings was Duterte’s supposed implementation of a rewards system on the killings.

According to Fernandez, Garma requested them to talk to Grijaldo whom she said would corroborate her statements. 

Fernandez explained that they did so on October 22, as part of their vetting process, but Grijaldo denied any knowledge of Garma’s revelations. 

“Si Colonel Grijaldo, according to Colonel Garma, is a friend of hers. So sabi namin, tamang tama nandiyan si Colonel Grijaldo so tawagin na natin,” Fernandez said. “Sabi niya naku wala po akong alam diyan.” 

Fernandez claimed that Grijaldo’s testimony in the Senate was scripted and orchestrated  by Dela Rosa. 

Dela Rosa has not yet responded to this. 

Fernandez repeatedly said they will not take Grijaldo’s allegation sitting down and will question him in the next hearing.

RELATED VIDEO