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Next speaker more keen to probe Bilibid drugs than extrajudicial killings

July 22, 2016 | 4:38pm

MANILA, Philippines -- Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, a Palace ally and likely the next House speaker, is not keen on launching a probe into the recent spate of extrajudicial killings and is instead inclined to investigate why the illegal drug trade was reportedly rampant inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) during the watch of then Justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima.

Speaking to reporters at Friday’s fellowship of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan, of which he is the secretary general, Alvarez said any House probe on the recent wave of extrajudicial killings would be futile as Congress has no prosecutorial powers.

He also added that a probe on the extrajudicial killings would not be in aid of legislation.

“Para sa akin, its an exercise in futility. Mag-iimbistiga tayo ng mga extrajudicial killings, dapat in aid of legislation iyan di ba? So anong legislation ang tinitignan natin dito? Pag napatunayan mo na may extrajudicial killing, then what? What will be done? To make it illegal? Eh illegal na iyan. Nasa batas na hindi pwede. It is a crime. Ang summary execution,” he said.

Congress has the power of oversight over the executive department's implementation of laws, a power meant to provide checks and balances in government. Duterte allies dominate the House of Representatives, however, and partymate Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III is expected to be elected Senate president.

“Gusto mong i-prosecute? Let us remember that Congress has no prosecutorial power. So, recommendatory lang yan. I-recommend mo sa Department of justice for the filing of the appropriate criminal charges. Again, the DOJ will conduct its own preliminary investigation and if they find probable cause, tsaka pa lang nila i-file yun. Kung wala, walang mangyayari diyan,” Alvarez added.

When asked by reporters what would be for him would be areas where the incoming Congress could conduct a probe on in aid of legislation, Alvarez said the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs inside the walls of the NBP under the watch of then Justice Secretary De Lima, could be one.

'Investigate drugs at Bilibid instead'

“Kung may dapat i-investigate in aid of legislation, let us investigate why during the term of now Senator De Lima, nag proliferate ang illegal drugs sa loob mismo ng Bilibid? Yan ang dapat imbestigahan,” he said.

“I will file a bill para imbestigahan bakit lumaganap yan. Yung Bilibid ay under ng Department of Justice,” Alvarez added.

Congressional hearings are actually usually initiated through resolutions, although Congressional committees also hold hearings in the course of legislation.Alvarez said he intends to summon De Lima, as well as the alleged drug lords now confined inside the NBP as the probe’s witnesses.

The Department of Justice under De Lima actually led several raids and inspections in the Bilibid prisons, which led to the transfer of several high-profile drug convicts to a National Bureau of Investigation facility.

Alvarez admitted that although De Lima could be summoned to appear in the probe, she could decline the summons out of courtesy.

“Kung di sya dumating, problema niya yun. Pero kapag di ka umattend, courtesy, di natin pipilitin. Pero we will call for the witnesses. Mag-iimbistiga tayo,” he said.

Alvarez said the House hearing could be held inside the NBP for security reasons.

“Puwede naman sa loob yung hearing,” he said.

Alvarez said Congress should actively take part in the administration’s ongoing war against illegal drugs to dispel any suspicion that drug lords are influencing members of Congress.

“Alam naman natin na maraming pera sa drugs. Ayokong mapagbintangan ang Kongreso na kaya natin ginagawa ito ay dahil upang sa ganoon ay ma-derail yung active campaign against illegal drugs ng present administration,” he said.

“There will always be that possibility, na merong suspicion na ganun. Ayaw ko ang Kongreso na magagamit ng mga drug lords para huminahon yung kampanya against illegal drugs,” he added.

Presidential legal counsel Savador Panelo and Solicitor General Jose Calida have aired similar sentiments, saying the calls for probes in both Houses of Congress may be motivated by politics.