Imee Marcos slams Chiz Escudero over refusal to approve contempt order

SENATOR Imee Marcos took a swipe at Senate President Francis Escudero for ordering the release of Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes Ambassador Markus Lacanilao despite being cited for contempt for allegedly repeatedly lying during the Senate inquiry into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his subsequent surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement, Marcos expressed disappointment over Escudero’s refusal to sign Lacanilao’s contempt order, which she approved during the resumption of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations probe on Duterte’s arrest on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

“As expected, Senate President Chiz Escudero refused to sign the contempt order. Just like he refused to sign the subpoenas. This time, he went even further -- he ordered Lacanilao’s release, in spite of the ambassador’s blatant and repeated lies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,” said Marcos.

“This isn’t just disappointing. It’s dangerous… When the Senate’s authority is ignored this openly, what’s the point of investigations? What’s the point of truth? We’re setting a terrible precedent—and it won’t be the last,” she added.

In a statement, Escudero said Marcos seemed to have forgotten the long-standing policy that the power of a committee chairperson to order the arrest or detention of any resource person cited in contempt is subject to the approval of the Senate president.

“For the record, I did not refuse to sign the contempt order of Ambassador Markus Lacanilao. Senator Marcos released her statement and flaunted to the media her signed arrest and detention order even before I could see, much less, receive a copy of it,” Escudero said.

“After several hours of Ambassador Lacanilao's unauthorized detention, I directed his release, both as a matter of regularity and out of humanitarian consideration as his grandfather is to be laid to rest today,” he added.

Escudero issued a show-cause-order against Lacanilao to explain within five days why he should not be cited in contempt.

“Senator Marcos says that this episode sets a terrible precedent, and I concur, but for different reasons. I believe it is a dangerous precedent to allow senators to flout the Senate's own rules for personal gain. For when procedures meant to safeguard due process and institutional integrity are ignored for media mileage or political ambition, that is when the credibility of the Senate is threatened,” Escudero said.

“I urge Senator Marcos to refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her own personal political objectives and to instead use her name, title, and influence as a bridge toward unity, not a wedge for division. Our people and our country expect and deserve no less,” he added.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa made the motion to cite Lacanilao in contempt as he found his responses during the proceedings “very misleading.”

Lacanilao accompanied Duterte when he was brought to the Hague in Netherlands via private jet. He was present from the time Duterte was arrested upon his arrival from Hong Kong on March 11.

He signed several documents for Duterte’s surrender and transfer to the ICC, which is investigating the alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines during the implementation of the former president’s drug war.

Lacanilao said his role was to oversee the smooth arrest of Duterte, which caused confusion to Marcos and Dela Rosa, considering that he was not a uniformed law enforcement personnel.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Lacanilao was appointed as the representative of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) during Duterte’s arrest, as he also oversees the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC).

“That time walang available na members ng PCTC ang may passport noon kaya nag-volunteer ako para i-accompany ang former president on behalf of the PCTC,” said Lacanilao.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano grilled Lacanilao for signing the Transfer of Custody on behalf of the Philippine government, as written in the document when he was only appointed as the representative of the Interpol.

“Are you a college graduate? Kasi any college graduate pag pinapirma ka tapos mali kahit printed you’d cross it out then you would put (what is correct),” said Cayetano.

“Medyo mataas na ho kasi ‘yung ano nu’n eh, pagod na rin kami. Tapos ang request ng ICC staff that time nagre-request sila na kunin na ng medical team. Hindi ho kasi ma-perform ‘yung medical assistance to the former president, e. ‘Yun ang dahilan niyan. Nagkakagulo na po doon,” Lacanilao added.

In the Transfer of Custody, Lacanilao responded “do not know” when asked about the date, time and location of the appearance of the arrested person before the competent national judicial authority.

“Paanong hindi mo alam samantalang nandoon ka sa airport ng NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), hanggang sa Villamor, hanggang sa sinakay sa eroplano, bakit hindi mo alam?” said Marcos. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)