Alvarez dares de Lima: Join ‘drug trade’ probe

Embattled senator says she won’t attend House inquiry on drugs

HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez urged Sen. Leila de Lima to attend the House inquiry on alleged illegal drugs activities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in order for her to clear her name.

Based on the drug matrix released by President Rodrigo Duterte, the senator was among the alleged key players in the illegal drugs trade inside the NBP where several drug lords are detained.

However, de Lima downplayed the accusations against her.

“Your claim that you have nothing to do (illegal drugs trade, etc.), you can only prove that if you subject yourself to investigation,” Alvarez who is an ally of Duterte said.

But the lawmaker insists of her innocence and found no need for her to attend the House investigation on the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the NBP.

According to de Lima, she cannot win in Duterte’s kangaroo court. “Having this House inquiry to try me before false witnesses is not democratic,” she said.

The House of the Representatives through House Resolution No. 105 will investigate how drug syndicates were able to continue their operations even while inside the NBP during de Lima’s time as justice secretary.

Aside from de Lima, also included in the drug matrix was Ronnie Dayanan, the former driver and bodyguard of de Lima who Duterte accused of being her lover.

Duterte said that Dayanan was the one collecting money from the drug lords inside the penitentiary for de Lima.

Alvarez said they will invite DOJ officials and witnesses for the House inquiry but clarified that they cannot force de Lima to attend.

“Let us not force her (to attend the House inquiry). However, when there is a need to speak up, If I were her it would be better that she should attend to explain her side,” he said.

“Is it true or not? For example, she said she has no illicit relations with her driver. If a video is presented during the inquiry? Who would say that the video is not true? Of course, it’s her (de Lima),” he added.

(AP FOTO) SENATE PROBE. Sen. Leila de Lima talking to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in this file photo during the continuing Senate probe on the rising number of extrajudicial killings related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.” Senators, led by de Lima,...