MANILA – The executive privilege claimed by Cabinet members does not hinder the Senate’s investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that Cabinet members participated in the Senate hearing and addressed inquiries that fell outside the scope of executive privilege.
“Karapatan po ng Pangulo, ng administrasyon na i-exercise itong executive privilege especially kung confidential in nature ang pag-uusapan,” Castro said in an interview with GMA’s Unang Balita on Tuesday morning.
“Pero hindi naman po sila hindi dumalo. Sila po ay dumalo at sumagot sa mga tanong na hindi naman sakop ng executive privilege. Wala pong mahahadlangang pag-iimbestiga po rito,” she added.
The Palace spokesperson further said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did not prevent Cabinet members from participating in the Senate probe presided by his sister, Senator Imee Marcos.
Senate President Francis Escudero said on Monday that he received a letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin invoking “executive privilege” concerning the Senate inquiry into Duterte’s arrest.
In the letter, Bersamin asserted executive privilege “against the disclosure of information” related to presidential communications solicited and received from the President’s advisers, particularly discussions held in closed-door Cabinet meetings relevant to the Senate inquiry.
Bersamin stated that such matters are classified as privileged information.
On March 20, the Senate foreign relations committee held a hearing on the arrest of former President Duterte over his alleged crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.
Among those who attended were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine Air Force commanding general Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, and PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil./PN
