Invite more experts, Palace urges Imee

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro has urged Senator Imee Marcos to invite more experts to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It would be better if Senator Imee Marcos didn’t just hear one view. She should invite more experts, those who are frequently interviewed and provide unique opinions,” she said during a press briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday.

She suggested gathering resource persons who can offer different perspectives, beyond Atty. Alex Medina.

Malacañang reversed its position on Cabinet members’ attendance before the Senate committee, confirming statements made by Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero that government officials will appear at the next hearing.

“As we’ve said, if we only hear from one person, one expert, we won’t be able to balance the understanding, and it could cause more confusion. As she said, she’s confused right now. So, it would be better — this is just a suggestion, after all, we are not giving orders — that she invite other international law experts to help clarify things for her,” she added.

She noted that after inviting various law experts and lawyers with differing opinions, there may be no need for Cabinet members to appear before the Senate Committee.

On Monday, Malacañang reversed its position on Cabinet members’ attendance before the Senate committee, confirming statements made by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero that government officials will appear at the next hearing.

The committee, chaired by Marcos, is scheduled to hold its next hearing on Thursday, 10 April.

Confirmed government officials who will attend include Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan of the Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Philippines Center on Transnational Crime Executive Director Alcantara, PNP General Rommel Francisco Marbil, General Nicolas Torre, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Markus Lacanilao, and Atty. RJ Bernal and Atty. Ferdinand Santiago.