House probe on Duterte drug war resumes Thursday

After former president Rodrigo Duterte's testimony at the Senate last week, the House of Representatives will resume its probe on the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) during his six-year administration, hoping he will appear.

- By DELON PORCALLA

House quad committee panel presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said they are still uncertain about the former leader's personal appearance, but they have sent another invitation, especially since he had already showed up at the EJK inquiry of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.

Duterte's legal counsel Martin Delgra III, who served as the former leader's Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chief, promised the quad committee earlier that his client would attend the hearings after All Saints' Day.

"Rest assured of my client's willingness to appear before the House on some other available date, preferably after Nov. 1," Delgra promised after he declined to attend the Oct. 22 hearing, citing health reasons and short notice.

"Considering his advanced age and the several engagements he had to attend, he is currently not feeling well and is in need of much rest. Hence, my client respectfully request to defer his appearance before the honorable committee," he stated in a two-page letter.