(Eagle News)– New Senate justice committee chair Senator Richard Gordon announced on Thursday (September 22) that there will be no more surprise witnesses to be presented in the ongoing Senate probe on drug killings.
“I’d like to emphasize that there will be rules in this committee. No witness shall be presented unless they have presented affidavits to the committee chair. There will be no surprise witness…and only under exceptional circumstances shall we allow that,” Gordon said.
Senators were only given 10 minutes to ask witnesses and were advised to avoid repetitive questions.
On the other hand, lawyer Anacleto “Butch” Diaz will be the committee’s independent counsel in conducting direct examination to the witnesses.
Gordon replaced Senator Leila De Lima for the chairmanship of justice committee after the latter was ousted from the post, with a vote of 16-4-2.
Days before the oust, De Lima presented surprise witness Edgar Matobato, who introduced himself as member of the so-called Davao Death Squad to the Senate inquiry.