Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not attend the House Quad Committee hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, according to his legal counsel, Atty. Martin Delgra III.
In a letter dated October 21, Delgra stated that although Duterte had a "keen intention to attend," he is unable to do so due to his "advanced age" and several prior engagements.
"He is currently unwell and in need of rest," the letter read.
However, the legal counsel mentioned that Duterte is willing to appear before the House of Representatives at a later date, preferably after November 1.
On October 18, the House Quad Committee sent Duterte an invitation to the public hearing, which is part of an ongoing inquiry into extrajudicial killings under his "war on drugs" campaign.
The hearing is set for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
House Quad Committee chair, Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers, emphasized the importance of Duterte's participation, stating it would provide "valuable insights and shed light on the issues under discussion."
In a previous hearing, retired police colonel Royina Garma alleged that Duterte and other high-ranking officials from his administration had sanctioned covert operations that replicated the Davao City model of extrajudicial killings on a national scale.
