Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said Senator Imee Marcos can proceed with the second hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest for alleged crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court (ICC) without the Cabinet members.

"She can continue (the hearing)'', Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a radio interview on Wednesday morning

Castro also said the senator can invite law experts to the hearing.

"As I said, not only can a person or a lawyer be her witnesses or resource person," Castro said, then mentioned former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, and ICC-accredited lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres as experts.

Castro believes Cabinet officials had answered all questions Marcos asked on the first hearing, except those covered by the executive privilege.

"If we are going to notice, her questions are repetitive. All of these were already answered," Castro said.

Yesterday, Marcos expressed her disappointment with Malacanang's decision for Cabinet members not to attend the second hearing on the former President's case on Thursday after the Palace earlier said it not hinder Cabinet members from attending. Kate Cristian Ravelo/DMS