Special envoy cited in contempt ordered released by Chiz, says Imee

Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Ambassador Markus Lacanilao has been released hours after the Senate committee looking into the arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court of former President Rodrigo Duterte cited him in contempt.

In a statement, Sen. Imee Marcos said Senate President Francis Escudero ordered Lacanilao's release.

“As expected, Senate President Chiz Escudero refused to sign the contempt order. Just like he refused to sign the subpoenas. This time, he went even further—he ordered Lacanilao’s release, in spite of the ambassador’s blatant and repeated lies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,” Imee said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Escudero for comment.

“This isn’t just disappointing. It’s dangerous… When the Senate’s authority is ignored this openly, what’s the point of investigations? What’s the point of truth? We’re setting a terrible precedent—and it won’t be the last,” Imee said.

In a separate statement, Imee said that she didn't understand why Escudero “failed to see” Lacanilao's alleged lies.

The senator said that not signing the contempt order was an insult to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations as the ambassador was “free to walk, hours after he blatantly lied, under oath, over and over again to the Committee.”

“I am sure that I do not need to remind the Senate President that the contempt power of the Senate is premised on the institution’s very own self-preservation," Imee said.

"How can the Senate ensure its survival and effectiveness if people can lie under oath before the institution without any consequence? This decision by the Senate President is an insult to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and an affront to the integrity of the institution he leads,” she added.

Lacanilao was cited in contempt by the Senate foreign relations committee on Thursday after he repeatedly denied knowing whether or not Duterte was brought to a competent national judicial authority.

The motion was made by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and approved by Panel Chairperson Senator Imee Marcos.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ''Boying'' Remulla asked for reconsideration following the order but was turned down. –NB, GMA Integrated News