Palace defends Solicitor General Calida: He was just exercising his duty 

Malacañang on Tuesday defended Solicitor General Jose Calida against senators over his remarks on possible legislative inquiries on the spate of killings of suspected drug dealers.

“The word is not really arrogant. I believe the SolGen is simply exercising his right, his duty as Solicitor General and lawyer for the government of the Philippines to make sure that all things are processed properly and the police, the police come under his purview,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a media briefing.

“He was simply speaking for and in behalf of his authority and right to be able to exercise his role,” he added.

Asked whether President Rodrigo Duterte will allow police officials to attend a possible investigation to be scheduled by either the Senate or the House of Representatives, Abella said: “Let’s just wait for the due process to come through.”

Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo earlier said any probe would only be an “attempt to discredit the police operations.”

Calida told the police not to be afraid of congressional inquiries, as he assured them that the government will defend them before members of the legislature.

"We will not allow anybody to derail this effort of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and its officers to implement the order of our President, to stop this drug trafficking and drug menace in our society," Calida said.

Calida then mentioned the name of Sen. Leila de Lima and scored her plan to submit a resolution seeking an inquiry into the spate of killings of drug suspects since the Duterte administration assumed office.

Outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon criticized Calida’s statements, saying they “undermine the independence of the Senate and our very own democracy."

He described Calida’s statements as "uncalled for," "reek[ing] of arrogance" and unbecoming of someone who hold the position as solicitor general.  — VVP, GMA News