When Dayan testifies against de Lima

"Magpakatatag siya. Lalabanan niya ang mga (binabato sa kanya.)" -- Ronnie Dayan, addressing Sen. Leila de Lima

UNFORTUNATELY for Sen. Leila de Lima and her former lover Ronnie Palisoc Dayan, no law bars the testimony of lovers, much less ex-lovers, against each other.

The marital disqualification rule, as the term says, applies only to married spouses.

Yet the "shelter of emotions," which the Supreme Court says covers a married couple, may hold just as strongly over lovers. But the law cannot encourage illicit liaisons, which the Dayan-de Lima story apparently was.

Though the relationship has ended, nobody says love has fled, not when they had been on for seven years. Dayan's advice for her to be strong and fight the charges against her suggests affection for "Ma'm de Lima."

Thus, it would be awkward, if not painful, for Dayan to confirm, and de Lima to hear, the accusation he was her bagman in the alleged acts of corruption from the illegal drugs trade at the national prison when she was justice secretary.

But would his testimony be credible? And would it be enough?

The House members who'd grill Dayan may not be as independentminded as the senators. They have been suspected of being a lynching party out to hang de Lima for their speaker, a diehard Duterte supporter.

Besides, the legislative hearings don't indict. They're supposed to find ways to improve laws on the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Better chance

De Lima would've a better chance before the Sandiganbayan if the ombudsman would indict her. There, she could assail motive, whether the former lover's testimony was brought on by fear or favor and whether it could stand alone or would need other evidence.

Dayan must know that his testimony could destroy de Lima's career and even send her to jail. That must hurt, though no marriage vow binds them, only memories of a love affair.