Blue Ribbon chairman balks at inquiry into Duterte wealth

The chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee is hesitant to conduct an inquiry into the alleged hidden wealth of President Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Sen. Richard Gordon said that the matters raised by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in a resolution filed last Monday is best referred to the House of Representatives since the acts alleged are covered in impeachment proceedings.

In a manifestation in plenary yesterday, Gordon said Trillanes’ resolution seeks to establish that the President violated the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and as such this “cannot be prima facie in the jurisdiction of the Blue Ribbon committee.”

“If a citizen in here as a senator feels that the President must be investigated, the proper jurisdiction is to the House of Representatives. They are the ones who must determine possible violations of the AMLA by the Chief Executive,” Gordon said.

“The rationale and point of an investigation into the acts of the President is an impeachment proceeding, which if successful will go into a full blown trial before the Senate acting as an impeachment court,” he added.

Based on this argument, Gordon said that whatever findings would come out of the Blue Ribbon committee inquiry could be considered as the Senate or the senators involved having prejudged the President.

“I will consult with the rest of the Blue Ribbon committee on how to move forward, bearing in mind that any statement made in the hearing that may be conducted could be construed as having prejudged a possible impeachment trial. That’s why I was very careful,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said that the committee should meet to decide on how to dispose of the resolution since it has been referred to it in plenary.

“I believe that the proper procedure is for the committee to meet and dispose of the referral,” Drilon said.

Gordon said there are also matters that have to be resolved in relation to the probe being sought by Trillanes, including whether or not the President, being the head of a co-equal branch of government, could be compelled to attend a hearing of the Senate.

“That is why I suggest that we tarry a little. You could also refer this, the proper thing to do is to file a case, in which case you can file it in the Ombudsman which in turn would recommend the President for impeachment if that is his pleasure or judgement,” Gordon said.

“I think it would really affect not only our relationship but our working here in the Congress if we look into this case because I think ultimately the logical conclusion would be impeachment,” he added.