Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo assured that former President Rodrigo Duterte will attend the House quad-committee hearing upon receiving an invitation.
"Noong in-interview ko siya sa aking programa sa SMNI last Saturday, sinabi niya na pupunta siya basta may imbitasyon," Panelo said in an exclusive interview with DZRH for Damdaming Bayan on Monday.
"Sabi niya, kung sino-sino ang pinatatawag nila doon [Quad Comm], sa akin naman pala naka-direkta, sabi niya, ako na lang imbitahan nila. I will respond to them and I will give them what they want to hear," he added.
Panelo added that Duterte will attend the hearing unless there is a conflict in his schedule or if his health prevents him from attending.
He further stated that Duterte's health is in good condition. In fact, he has been in Manila for several days and is doing well.
The House quad-committee sent an invitation to former President Rodrigo Duterte in a letter dated October 18. The hearing is scheduled for October 22 (Tuesday) at 9:30 AM, to be held at the People’s Center Building, House of Representatives, in Quezon City.
The invitation is for a public hearing regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during his administration's campaign against illegal drugs in the country.
Earlier today, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that the former president already received the invitation given by the joint committee.
The invitation was accepted at the former president's residence yesterday. In addition to the physical letter, the committee secretariat also emailed the former president's office to request his presence at the committee hearing.
