Fear of De Lima's fate happening to me crossed my mind – Noy

MANILA — Former President Benigno Aquino III yesterday said it has crossed his mind that he could suffer the same fate as detained Sen. Leila de Lima.

Asked if there is fear that he might also end up behind bars like De Lima, Aquino said in Filipino: “We could not help but think of that.”

The former president is currently facing complaints before the Department of Justice, Commission on Elections and Office of the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine program. The complaints were filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution— groups who support President Rodrigo Duterte.

Aquino is also facing a case before the Sandiganbayan over the botched Mamasapano operations. In addition, the probe into the constitutionality of the Disbursement Acceleration Program under his administration was reopened.

Aquino questioned the use of convicts as witnesses in the case of De Lima — a staunch critic of Duterte — who was accused on allowing the proliferation of the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as the justice chief. The former president added that he also has an issue with the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice since he thought the decision was “forced.”