Abdiel Franz Bernales

Senate President Francis Escudero urged Sen. Imee Marcos to "refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her political objectives" on Friday, April 11.

Photo Courtesy of Rappler.

Imee, the chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has launched a probe into former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

She also has maintained ties with the Duterte camp despite occasional criticism from members of the Davao political clan directed at her family.

Some have accused the reelectionist Imee of using the hearings for political gain such as Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, which she has denied, and the Senate President issued a stern reminder. 

"I urge Senator Marcos to refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her 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," Escudero said. 

Escudero also emphasized that he would not allow the Senate nor the Office of the Senate President to be used to further petty partisan interests, "especially by those actively seeking reelection in coming May midterm polls."

"The Senate is an institution of reason and rule; it is not a tool to be leveraged for propaganda or self-promotion," he said.

Escudero made the statement then after Marcos sought to detain Special Envoy Markus Lacanilao for allegedly lying to the panel investigating Duterte's arrest as it didn't comply with due process and flaunted to the media.

"I did not refuse to sign the contempt order for Ambassador Markus Lacanilao, as Senator Marcos released her signed arrest order to the media before I could review it, and Lacanilao was detained without due process, contrary to Chief Justice Gesmundo's opinion on stricter due process for witnesses accused of false testimony, "he clarified.

Further, Escudero said that the Senate President's signature on a detention order is not ministerial but rather a safeguard to ensure due process.

"Senator Imee Marcos appears to have overlooked the rule that the Senate President's approval is needed for detention, and after several hours of Ambassador Lacanilao's unauthorized detention, I authorized his release for both regularity and humanitarian reasons, as his grandfather is being laid to rest today," he stated.

Escudero added that "in order to comply with the requisites of due process," he would issue a "show cause order" for Lacanilao to explain within 5 days why he should not be cited in contempt as Marcos requested.

"I will decide whether or not to sign his arrest/detention after reviewing the committee proceedings, ensuring my decision aligns with the law, free from political agenda, and in the best interest of the people, country, and the Senate," he said.