CBCP exec to de Lima accusers: ‘Sue her’

MANILA – An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) has defended Senator Leila de Lima against those accusing her of allowing drug proliferation in the National Bilibid Prison (NBP).

CBCP–ECPPC Executive Secretary Rodolfo Diamante noted that such allegations need to be supported by sufficient evidence and accusers should present evidence not on statements of inmates.

"With my knowledge and working relationship with her, I could not believe that she is behind the drug dealings trade in the NBP," he said after the mass in observance of the World Day Against Death Penalty at the CBCP Chapel in Intramuros, Manila on Monday.

At the same time, Diamante said that he finds it hard to believe that the former DOJ chief is behind the proliferation of the illegal drugs operations at the NBP.

"I am basing it on the character of the person, based on my own knowledge. The consistency of the character of this person from the time I got to know her when we were working with her, I have not heard of any anomalies," he added.

With this, Diamante challenged her accusers to file the appropriate case against her.

"In the case of Senator de Lima, why not file a case in a proper forum? Build up a case and file a case. If they have a proof, file a case. That is the process,” he said. FP/Sunnex