MANILA, Philippines — The proposed investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs will likely be handled by the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, also known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Friday.

Escudero clarified in a radio broadcast that, since Congress is currently in recess, this committee is the only one authorized to act motu propio on the matter.

“Hindi pa naman pinal, ang direksyon ay parang Blue-Ribbon Committee ang mag-motu proprio investigation habang recess. Pero kung magre-resume, malamang ang Committee on Justice ang maghe-hearing,” Escudero said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III heads the Senate Committee on Justice, while Senator Pia Cayetano chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Pimentel assured reporters in a message that if the proposed investigation is referred to his committee, he is prepared to handle it.

“I will have to handle it like the professional that I am,” he said.

Meanwhile, Escudero announced that he will be meeting with Senators Bato Dela Rosa and Bong Go this weekend to discuss whether they would prefer to begin the probe during the break or after the regular session, which is expected to be packed with budget hearings.

He will also consult the two senators regarding the direction of the investigation.

Earlier, Go filed a resolution requesting that the drug war investigation be handled by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

Dela Rosa, who chairs the committee, had previously indicated that the probe might begin before the next regular session starts.

Escudero advised both Dela Rosa and Go to step back from leading the investigation to ensure impartiality.

He also mentioned that he would consult other senators on the possibility of convening a Committee of the Whole, a proposal initially suggested by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.

To ensure a fair investigation into the Duterte administration’s violent war on drugs, Hontiveros on Thursday proposed convening the Senate Committee of the Whole. This suggestion arose in response to concerns over Sen. Dela Rosa’s offer to lead the investigation as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

Dela Rosa spearheaded the controversial drug war as Chief of Police during the Duterte administration.

Hontiveros stated that, in addition to reassuring and encouraging victim-survivors to participate and testify, a Committee of the Whole would allow every senator “equal rights” in investigating the matter.

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