2 of 4 ethics complaints vs De Lima dismissed: Ethics Chairperson Sotto

SENATE COMMITTEE on Ethics Chair Vicente C. Sotto III on Monday said the committee has dismissed two of the four ethics complaints filed against Senator Leila M. de Lima, while the remaining two would be consolidated and submitted to her.

“After she receives the copies of the complaints, we will ask her to submit her reply within 15 days,” Mr. Sotto told reporters after the committee hearing.

During the hearing, the ethics complaints filed by lawyers Ronillo Pulmano and Abelardo de Jesus were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, given that the events pertained to happened during Ms. De Lima’s term as justice secretary.

On the other hand, the ethics complaints filed by the House of Representatives and the supplemental complaint of Mr. De Jesus would fall under the Senate’s jurisdiction, anchored on Article 50 of the Revised Penal Code: Disobedience to summons issued by the National Assembly, its committees or subcommittees, by the Constitutional Commissions, its committees, subcommittees or divisions.

“Whether or not a full blown hearing is necessary or will we accept her explanation, it depends,” Mr. Sotto said.

Should there be a need for another hearing, Mr. Sotto said this would be public.

“Almost always I will conduct the hearing publicly,” Mr. Sotto said. “I don’t ever want to be charged that we will not be impartial.”

Sought for comment, Ms. De Lima told reporters before the plenary yesterday: “I will just wait for the notice from the ethics committee.”

Ms. De Lima is currently facing charges at the Quezon City metropolitan trial court for alleged violation of Article 150 of the RPC for advising her former aide and alleged bagman Ronnie P. Dayan against attending the House inquiry on the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison. She has also complaints before the Department of Justice. —