Duterte's 'admission' on EJKs insufficient to make a case —Gordon

While President Rodrigo Duterte's critics buzz about finding an "incriminating evidence" against him for "admitting" that he authored extrajudicial killings, Senator Richard Gordon thinks the supposed admission isn't enough to make a case. 

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, Gordon said that Duterte's "admission" last Thursday that he can only be faulted for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the campaign against illegal drugs, can be used as evidence.

But, the Senate Blue Ribbon  Committee chairman clarified that the "admission" can only stand as evidence if accompanied with proof.

"Puwede maging evidence kung magkakaroon ng other proof. For instance, sino ang pinapatay niya, kailan, paano pinapatay?" 

In an earlier interview on dzBB, former dean of the Ateneo School of Law Antonio La Viña said,  "When you admit na may nangyaring extrajudicial killings because of you, of course that's culpable violation of the Constitution."

La Viña was referring to Duterte's statement in his speech in Malacañang last week: "Ano kasalanan ko? Nagnakaw ba ako dyan ni piso? Did I prosecute somebody na pinakulong ko? Ang kasalanan ko lang 'yung mga extrajudicial killing." 

Duterte's critics claim  they have found an incriminating evidence against him that is impeachable and could boost a pending complaint before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to La Viña, "Clear naman. Hindi naman siya [Duterte] nagbibiro when he said that. The demeanor is very clear. Kasi nanggaling sa mouth ng Presidente. Hindi mo na kailangan i-prove pa. Ang tawag diyan, admission against interest. 'Yan ang highest and strongest evidence. Because nobody confesses unless they mean it." 

But Gordon said, "No person can be a witness against himself. And knowing the President's atrocious statement in the past, like, 'I will kill you' hindi naman siguro yan ang ibig sabihin."

"Dahil sa language niya ... mahirap maintindihan, kahit ako kina-clarify ko pa yung mga sinasabi niya sa akin," said Gordon, adding, "Ang ibig sabihin lang naman siguro niya ay hindi siya ma-accuse ng corruption at iba pa; ang tanging ina-accuse sa kaniya ay ang EJKs."

On the other hand, the National Union of People's Lawyers on Saturday said it will file a supplemental pleading to boost its complaint against Duterte before the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity after he made the "admission."

Meanwhile, Malacañang was unmoved by La Viña's statement. "No basis. [The President's] statement was that his critics accuse him only of EJK and not corruption," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque told GMA News Online in a text message.

"Anyway, La Viña can go ahead. Nothing will happen to his complaint," he added. —LBG, GMA News