Senate President Francis Escudero III said Sunday that government officials invited by the Senate will attend its third investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte will attend a hearing on April 10.

"The hearing will be moved to April 10 where the officials invited by Senator Imee (Marcos) will attend. I just don't know who specifically (are the attendees)", Escudero said in a radio interview on Sunday.

This follows after invited Cabinet secretaries, police heads, and other officials skipped the second hearing of the Senate committee on foreign affairs last April 3 over the arrest of Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC ) as the topic falls under the executive privilege as cited by a letter from the Palace days before the second hearing.

Escudero said that a subpoena won't be necessary anymore despite the subpoenas filed by Senator Imee Marcos against invited officials who were no-show in Thursday's hearing. However, the attendees are still able to invoke their executive privilege "depending on the question".

Among the expected attendees, according to Escudero, are Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

"As I said, the hearing should not be the root of further conflict, quarrels, and disputes. As much as possible, it should be a source of unity, healing and deeper understanding", Escudero said.

"That can only be done if the questions can be answered without conflict through the use of executive privilege and the use of the Senate subpoena on the other", he added. Marie Manalili/DMS