PROBE INTO DUTERTE ARREST

Escudero issues show cause order vs special envoy Lacanilao

Senate President Francis “Chiz Escudero issued Friday a show cause order against Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Markus Lacanilao, asking the latter to explain why he should not be cited in contempt for “testifying falsely and evasively” during a Senate inquiry.

Escudero said Lacanilao has to respond within five days upon receipt of  the show cause order in relation to the contempt citation recommended by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and upon the motion of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa last April 10.

The Senate probe concerns the March 11 arrest and subsequent turnover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, Netherlands over alleged crimes against humanity due to his campaign against illegal drugs.

“Ambassador Lacanilao is hereby ordered to show cause within a period of five days from receipt of this order why he should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms,” the Senate chief said.

He also instructed the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to report to the Office of Senate President within the 24 hours after the show cause order has been served.

“This show cause order is a necessary step to ensure accountability and reinforce the principles of transparency and justice that guide our work,” Escudero added.

Likewise, Escudero said he will only decide on whether or not to sign an arrest and detention order on Lacanilao after the envoy submits his answer.

During Thursday’s hearing, Lacanilao was cited in contempt by the Senate committee for supposedly lying in relation to last month's arrest of Duterte.

Dela Rosa made the motion after finding Lacanilao’s answers during the continuing hearing “very misleading.” The motion was approved by panel chairperson, Senator Imee Marcos.

Released

Later that day, Marcos said Lacanilao was ordered released by Escudero.

“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.

Earlier Friday, Escudero responded to Marcos’ remark, saying the latter should “refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her own personal political objectives.”

Escudero also maintained that Lacanilao was “not given due process.” He also explained that he ordered Lacanilao's release “out of humanitarian consideration as his grandfather is to be laid to rest today.”

Still, the Senate chief said he would issue a show cause order against Lacanilao. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News