Senator Lacson on Wednesday downplayed the call of United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to Philippine judicial authorities to probe the admission of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte that he had killed people when he was Mayor of Davao City.
Lacson noted that all Philippine presidents enjoy immunity from suit during his or her term and that there has yet to be proof of state-sponsored killings in the country.
He pointed out that the UN rights chief “is not familiar” with the Philippine Constitution and its laws.
“First, our president enjoys immunity from suit during his term. Second, no matter how many times a person in our country admits having committed murder, as long as there is no other evidence to corroborate his extra judicial confession, the case cannot stand in any court of law,” Lacson said.
“That UN official can shout to high heavens to investigate the president but unfortunately for him, he can’t get past that call,” he added.
Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, previously said that Pres. Duterte’s admission might be part of his “strategy” to fight drug menace in the country.
“The President is prone to making exaggerated statements. I think that is part of his strategy,” Gordon told reporters in an earlier interview.
