House leaders back filing of drug charges vs De Lima

House leaders defended yesterday the Duterte administration’s filing of three criminal complaints against Senator Leila de Lima in connection with her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) when she was still Justice secretary.

Deputy Speaker and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House committee on justice asked De Lima to face the charges against her.

Senate hands off Meanwhile, the Senate will not block the possible arrest of De Lima in connection with her drug case.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said this Sunday, but stressed that he expects law enforcers who will serve the arrest warrant on De Lima to treat the latter well and with respect just like how they should also treat ordinary citizens.

Criminal complaint “You know in this case, prima facie case is needed before a case is filed at the court. If prima facie case merits the filing of case, then this should not surprise the public that criminal complaints have been filed against her,” Castro said in the vernacular.

On Friday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed three drug-related cases against De Lima before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

Castro noted that during the Lower Chamber’s NBP hearings, the testimonies of the witnesses affirmed De Lima’s supposed involvement in illegal drugs inside the national penitentiary.

“If the court believes in their testimonies, it’s a strong evidence against her,” he said.

No special treatment Castro, a lawyer, said De Lima should not be given special treatment and should be detained just like any ordinary prisoner.

“Our law is not selective, whether you are senator, President or ordinary criminal. Our law states that if you are prisoner, then you are prisoner,” he stressed.

‘Separation of powers’ In a radio interview, Pimentel explained that “this is where the separation powers comes in.” He stressed that other branches of government, including the legislative, are not supposed to intervene with the decision of court, such as the issuance of an arrest warrant.

“If there is a warrant of arrest, who are we not to honor the warrant of arrest... We will respect (the order of the court),” according to the senator.

He added, however, that De Lima could not be arrested while in a legislative session.

Thus, Pimentel said that the arresting officers should coordinate with with the Senate’s security officers as he stressed that they are not to disrupt and disturb a legislative session.

The Senate leader emphasized that the law enforcers serving the warrant would commit a crime and may face charges themselves if they disrupt the session.