Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has proposed that the Senate Committee of the Whole be convened to investigate former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Hontiveros suggests this approach over an investigation led by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who once served as Duterte’s police chief and led the drug war’s early operations.
In a recent radio interview, Hontiveros expressed her hope that a Committee of the Whole investigation would encourage victim-survivors to testify, bringing forth a fuller picture of the controversial anti-drug campaign. She also stated that this committee would give all senators equal authority to probe the issue.
The proposal arises amid ongoing House Quad Committee hearings and possible Senate investigations into the alleged use of incentive funds for drug-related killings, a system that former police officer Royina Garma described as the “Davao model.”
Dela Rosa, for his part, has announced plans for a separate motu proprio investigation into the drug war, suggesting that Duterte himself may be called to testify.
The Philippine National Police recently indicated that it would reopen investigations into certain unsolved cases related to the drug war. Government figures report at least 6,200 drug-related deaths in police operations, though human rights groups estimate the number could be as high as 30,000.