Senator Panfilo Lacson responded on the decision of Peter Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula to testify in an investigation of the Senate after the elections.
In his tweet, Lacson already said that he’s going to let Bikoy reveal all the information he knew about the alleged illegal businesses of the Duterte family and his close allies like senatorial candidate Christopher “Bong” Go.
However, Lacson explained that Bikoy should be there personally carrying “a sworn statement and his evidence to support his accusations”.
He set the Senate probe on Friday, May 10, two days before the midterm elections.
Like it or not, Bikoy has become a political, if not an election issue. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs can schedule a hearing this week on one condition: Bikoy must personally present a sworn statement and his evidence to support his accusations.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) May 7, 2019
However, Bikoy reasoned that he cannot attend on Friday because he’s doesn’t have any lawyer that can defend him in the said probe.
According to him, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is still not informing him if they’re going to give him free legal assistance. He’s also worried that the authorities might seize him on Friday.
In his latest tweet, Lacson said that Bikoy cannot order the committee to change their probe schedule.
“On Bikoy’s decision to testify after elections: He cannot dictate on the committee. Truth is never time bound. If he can’t be spontaneous, the only logical conclusion is he has not yet weaved his lies.” Lacson said.
On Bikoy’s decision to testify after elections: He can not dictate on the committee. Truth is never time bound. If he can’t be spontaneous, the only logical conclusion is he has not yet weaved his lies.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) May 7, 2019
According to some reports, Lacson already asked his colleagues, Senators Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan 2nd, Mary Grace Poe, Loren Legarda, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Antonio Trillanes 4th, and detained Leila de Lima and ex-officio members Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migs” Zubiri and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to attend.
But Lacson is still doing some background check on Bikoy so they still need to push with the hearing.