IPU to send team to probe Leila case

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is sending a fact-finding mission to the Philippines to check on the case of Sen. Leila de Lima, who is in detention over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

In a resolution adopted at the 136th IPU Assembly in Dhaka, Bangladesh held last April 1 to 5, the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians said it was “deeply concerned about Senator De Lima’s arrest, detention and accusations levied against her.”

The body noted that it failed to understand how the accusations against her made any sense considering her role in cracking down on the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still justice secretary.

It added that there is serious reason to believe that De Lima is targeted due to her outspoken criticism of the impact of the administration’s policies on human rights in the country.

The body also aired its deep concern over the statements made by President Duterte and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II portraying De Lima as guilty even before the start of the legal proceedings, in effect flouting the principle of presumption of innocence.

It called on the relevant authorities to ensure full respect for De Lima’s right to a fair trial and added that it would send a trial observer to the criminal proceedings once they start.

The committee noted the information it received from Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III in his letter dated Jan. 23 and during the hearing with the committee last April 3 where he said justice is following its course and that the allegations against De Lima did not come only from convicts but also from former members of the National Bureau of Investigation.

After the committee expressed its desire to visit the Philippines, it noted that Pimentel welcomed this.

The IPU committee said that it intends to meet with relevant members of Congress, authorities from the executive and judicial branches and with De Lima and her lawyers during their visit to the Philippines.

According to the committee, it wants to get more information about the prison conditions of De Lima at Camp Crame.

It also wants to find out more about the details of the complaints filed against De Lima before the Senate ethics committee, as well as the procedures used in its investigation.

The IPU committee “considers that the issues at hand affecting one of its members should be of great concern to the Senate; trusts that it will do everything possible to monitor Senator De Lima’s situation closely, including with regard to her right to physical integrity and a fair trial and conditions of detention.”

In a statement yesterday, De Lima welcomed the decision of the IPU committee to visit the Philippines as they would be able to provide an unbiased view of her case.

“I trust that the IPU will be able to render an objective and fair assessment, not only on my case, but also, most importantly, on the human rights violations committed under the government’s murderous war on drugs,” De Lima said.

On the part of Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, he said the IPU would be able to see what is actually happening in the country. He said he would not meet with the IPU delegation because he will be busy.