President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is giving the Department of Justice a free hand in deciding on whether or not it will heed the recommendation of the House Quad Committee to charge former President Rodrigo Duterte with crimes against humanity.

Interviewed by reporters on Thursday (December 19) Marcos confirmed that he was aware of the recommendations that also sought the filing of similar charges against Senators Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and several others for their alleged involvement in the extra judicial killings of some 30,000 people during the drug war initiated by Duterte.

“The DOJ has to make that assessment. Ganoon naman talaga ang proseso,” Marcos said referring to the procedures that the DOJ follows in the handling of criminal complaints.

Marcos added: “When they (QuadCom) do an oversight hearing, meron silang findings, ifo-forward nila ngayon sa DOJ with their own recommendations as to how to handle the findings in the hearing.”

It is for the DOJ to determine if there is sufficient grounds for criminal charges against Duterte and his allies to succeed in court.

“We will go now to the DOJ. The DOJ will look at it and see if there are…. it is time to file cases, what cases to file, how to produce the evidence and, and we will need to actually build he cases up,” the chief executive said.

The QuadCom on Wednesday submitted its findings and recommendations on the congressional inquiry it conducted in connection with the the drug war launched by Duterte during his term as president.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the joint congressional panel recommended the filing of charges against Duterte, Go and Dela Rosa for violation of Republic Act 9851 or Philippine Act on Crimes Against Internatinal Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes Against Humanity.

Aside from the three, also sought to be charged are retired Philippine National chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas; retired police Colonels Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo and Palace aide Herminia “Muking” Espino.