TWO leaders of the Young Guns of the House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed support for the release of the official transcript from the recent Senate hearing on the war on drugs, suggesting that there should be no issue in providing it to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if requested.

Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list and Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list said that since the proceedings were public and accessible, they see no reason to withhold the transcript.

Acidre pointed out that the Senate hearing, which saw ex-President Rodrigo Duterte taking full responsibility for the drug war, was broadcast live on social media, making it accessible to the public.

“Well, the Senate hearing was a public proceeding. Nakita nga, it was streamed live in social media. It’s a matter of certifying. I don’t think there’s going to be a problem with it,” Acidre said.

He questioned the hesitation of some senators in sharing the transcript with the ICC, emphasizing that releasing the document should not be misconstrued as cooperation with the international body.

“I don’t see the point of the good senator (Bato dela Rosa) kung bakit ayaw niya. It cannot be misconstrued as cooperating because other than what actually happened and what actually has been said, wala namang idadagdag doon,” Acidre added.

Acidre further argued that if the statements made during the hearing were truthful, there should be no fear in sharing the transcript with any entity.

“Kung naniniwala naman na ‘yung katotohanan ay nasabi, kung totoo yung sinabi doon sa Senate hearing, kahit kanino pa i-submit ‘yun, hindi naman magbabago ‘yun eh. Ang katotohanan will remain to be the truth,” he asserted.

Bongalon agreed, affirming that he saw no reason for the Senate to deny any legitimate request for the official transcript.

He referenced Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s emphasis on releasing documents for justifiable purposes, reinforcing that there should be no opposition to transparency in this matter.

“For me, I don’t see any reason for the Senate not to grant any request for the official transcript of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,” Bongalon said.

“If it’s for a justifiable purpose, then they will issue it. Ano po ba ang dapat katakutan kung ito po ay i-release?” he added.

Bongalon also dismissed concerns that providing the transcript would amount to aiding the ICC, noting that the international body conducts its investigations independently.

“I guess the grant of any request for the transcript is not in any way aiding the ICC because we have to remember that ICC is doing any investigation independently. So dapat hindi tayo maging hadlang sa ano man ang magiging investigation ng ICC,” he explained.

AUTHOR PROFILE

People's Tonight