More drug, graft charges filed vs De Lima

Another criminal complaint has been filed against Sen. Leila de Lima before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed yesterday that the National Bureau of Investigation ( NBI) has filed another set of charges of drug trafficking and graft against De Lima, her former driver Ronnie Dayan and alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

It was the sixth criminal case filed against De Lima after she was implicated in the illegal drug trade in the country in both inquiries of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, NBI, former NBI deputy directors Ruel Lasala and Reynaldo Esmeralda, inmate Jaybee Sebastian and House leaders filed the five earlier complaints.

In a press conference, Aguirre bared that the latest case against the embattled senator involves Espinosa’s testimony in the Senate that he delivered P8 million in drug money to De Lima and Dayan.

The DOJ chief said the new case would not be consolidated with the earlier five cases.

The case for disobedience to summons filed by House leaders was already filed before the Quezon City regional trial court, while the other four have been submitted for resolution.

“I think the new case will be resolved separately because I believe the first four cases will be resolved already by this month,” he explained.

Kerwin qualifies as state witness

While Espinosa was included by the NBI in the latest complaint against De Lima, Aguirre bared that the charges against him could later be dropped.

Aguirre revealed that Espinosa has been accepted by the DOJ as a state witness after passing the criteria under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

“He has been placed under permanent coverage of the WPP before Christmas,” Aguirre confirmed.

“The prosecution will later on ask for the dismissal of charges against Kerwin or for the dropping of Kerwin as one of the accused. But it will still depend on the court,” Aguirre further explained.

Witnesses covered by WPP are given several privileges, including provision of a housing facility or safe house that could be extended to members of their family, financial assistance, assistance in obtaining means of livelihood, payment equivalent of salary as compensation for absences in work, travel expenses and medical expenses.

In cases of death, they would also be given benefits, including free college education to their children.

Apart from the drug charges, Espinosa is facing a separate case for possession of illegal drugs and firearms before a Leyte court.