Palace seeks exec privilege in Duterte arrest hearing – Escudero

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero —File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed on Monday that Malacañang wrote to his office reminding the chamber that Cabinet members could invoke their executive privilege when asked during a public inquiry on certain points regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.

At a press conference, Escudero said he received the letter on the morning of March 20, the same day that presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos led a hearing into the case of Duterte.

“They wrote to my office and the office of the committee chairperson, Sen. Imee Marcos, that they will be using executive privilege in any talks surrounding the discussion between the president and his Cabinet,” Escudero told reporters in Filipino.

“I believe this was used once or twice depending on the question asked by Senator Marcos,” he added.

READ: Palace after Sen. Imee Marcos-led probe: Duterte arrest legal

At the hearing held on March 20, the Remulla brothers — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla chose to remain silent and invoke their executive privilege when they were asked to expound on the details of the supposed meeting that took place between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet members before Duterte’s arrest.

During the hearing, Jonvic said the meeting was held simply to discuss rumors surrounding the former president’s arrest but not to plan for it.

For his part, Escudero said his position about executive privilege remained clear and constant.

“This cannot be used as a blanket privilege. This can only be invoked if the question will tend to involve or include executive privilege. This is not a reason not to attend a hearing,” he said.

Asked if it was strange that the Palace needed to write to his office and remind the upper chamber about the so-called executive privilege, Escudero answered in the negative, saying that it was not strange at all.