MALACAÑANG on Monday, June 25, respects the call of opposition lawmakers both at the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct their respective investigations into President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign to clear the streets of violators of local ordinances.
"May kapangyarihan po ang (Senado at) ang Kamara na magkaroon ng ganyang mga imbestigasyon, lalung-lalo na dahil it will be in aid of legislation," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told reporters in Cagayan de Oro City.
([The Senate] and the House of Representatives have the power to conduct such investigation, most especially because it will be in aid of legislation.)
"We always welcome any congressional inquiry. Wala pong tinatago [ang ehekutibo]," he added.
(We always welcome any congressional inquiry. [The executive branch] is not hiding anything.)
A resolution seeking an inquiry into the mass apprehension of loiterers around Metro Manila, including Genesis Argoncillo who was reportedly beaten to death in his detention cell, has been filed at the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.
On June 13, Duterte ordered the police to go after individuals who are loitering in the streets, especially at night, noting that they are "potential trouble for the public."
After critics slammed the campaign and the Commission on Human Rights opened an investigation into it, Duterte said in a speech delivered on June 22 that his only directive was to "accost" idlers and "not to arrest" them.
"Iyang tambay, I never said arrest them. Paka-gago naman nitong mga [kritiko ko]. Why don't you at least listen o i-rewind mo kung ano 'yung sinabi ko? Ang sinabi ko, 'You go home. Do not congregate.'" Duterte said in a speech in Davao City on June 22.
(On loiterers, I never said arrest them. [My critics] are stupid. Why don't you at least listen or rewind what I had said? What I said was, "You go home. Do not congregate.")
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dropped the term "tambay" or loiterer.
Read: Term 'tambay' is out, PNP chief reiterates
PNP chief Oscar Albayalde clarified that since Duterte gave the order, the police have accosted around 11,000 individuals, but only 96 were arrested and charged.
He said the campaign was never against mere loiterers, but against those who violate local ordinances especially at night.
Roque maintained that Duterte merely wanted to heighten police visibility to prevent crimes.
He also reiterated that the Chief Executive's anti-loitering drive would instill discipline in Filipinos.
"Ito po ay basic implementation of the law. So ang hinuhuli po, 'yung mga lumalabag sa ordinansa at mga batas. Pero 'yung mga wala naman dahilan ay hindi naman po iyan pinapahuli ng Presidente," he said.
(This is a basic implementation of the law. Those who have been arrested are the ones violating the ordinance and the laws. But the President does not order the arrest of those who have not violated [any ordinances and the law].)
"Tingin ko po, katungkulan ni Presidente iyan at iyan po ay isang pamamaraan para ma-increase ang police visibility at mapatupad ang ating mga batas," he added.
(I think, that's the duty of the President and that is one way to increase police visibility and implement the law.) (SunStar Philippines)