Aguirre ready for charges

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Saturday assured he will face the criminal complaints filed against him by detained Senator Leila de Lima before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“And unlike her, who has consistently refused to recognize the jurisdiction of our courts over her in the drug cases she is currently facing, I will face her accusations against me in any forum,” said Aguirre in a statement.

“I will follow what our laws or rules state on jurisdiction and will not challenge it because I know I have not done anything wrong,” he added.

In the complaint she filed before the Ombudsman on Thursday, De Lima asked that Aguirre be indicted for violating Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and provisions under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), particularly, Art. 208 (Negligence in Prosecution and Toleration of Criminal Offenses), Art. 286 (Grave Coercion), Art. 172.2 (Use of Falsified Documents), Art. 184 (Offering False Testimony), and Art. 239 (Usurpation of Legislative Powers).

The senator also asked the Ombudsman to dismiss Aguirre from his post for the commission of acts constituting Dishonesty, Gross Neglect of Duty, Grave Misconduct, Oppression, Inefficiency and Incompetence in the Performance of Official Duties, and Conduct Grossly Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, pursuant to Sec. 36 of Presidential Decree No. 807 (Civil Service Decree) and Sec. 46, Chapter 6, Subtitle A, Title I, Book V of Executive Order No. 292 (Revised Administrative Code of 1987).

Aguirre earlier criticized De Lima for only making denials and failing to show proof of accusations against her including her involvement in the proliferation of the narcotics trade the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.