By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Thursday a Senate inquiry on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs should be conducted by the Committee of the Whole and not just by a single committee.
In a radio interview, Hontiveros acknowledged the importance of knowing the truth about the extrajudicial killings during the drug war, especially for the families of the victims.
“So, ipapanukala ko po sa Senate leadership na magkaroon ng Senate Committee of the Whole kung saan buong Senado ang mag-iimbestiga sa war on drugs ng nakaraang administrasyon,” she said.
“Dahil sa pamamagitan niyang Senate Committee of the Whole, umaasa ako na mas panatag at mas ma-eengganyo rin na sumali at tumestigo ang victim-survivors ng war on drugs,” the senator added.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa earlier said he would lead the investigation as the chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Hontiveros, however, said that the advantage of the Senate Committee of the Whole is that senators would have equal rights to investigate the issue.
“At ’yon na nga, sa halip na isa sa aming mga senador ay magtse-chair ng aming committee, Committee of the Whole, ’yong Senate President po ang magdidinig o ang mag-chair,” she said.