Philippines' Duterte accused of stifling scrutiny in senate probes

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has told senators to stop probing ongoing programmes. - Reuters

MANILA, Sept 15 (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered members of his cabinet to get his consent before appearing at senate investigations, fuelling accusations from activists and some politicians of an attempt to stifle scrutiny.

Duterte gave the directive in a recorded televised address aired on Tuesday after he said senators probing his government's use of more than $1 billion in pandemic were using the hearings to further their political ambitions.