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| Former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila De Lima strokes her hair as she reads her statement Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, at the Philippine Senate in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte, in a news conference Wednesday, linked De Lima to the illegal drug trade and called her "immoral woman." De Lima, for her part said, President Duterte, who also criticized the United Nations for condemning the spate of killings of suspected drug criminals in the country is "abusing and misusing his executive power." AP/Bullit Marquez |
MANILA, Philippines – The House Committee on Justice might not recommend the filing of criminal charges against Sen. Leila De Lima, according to panel chair Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali.
Umali said that there are already cases filed against De Lima and so he does not see any need to recommend the further filing of charges.
“I guess it can be done, but as you very well know, charges have already been filed. So what is there to recommend?" Umali said in a press briefing referring to the complaint filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, a non-government organization, last week.
Umali explained that the House committee’s inquiry is in aid of legislation and the prosecution must be made by the Department of Justice.
He said the goal of the House probe into the alleged proliferation of illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid prison is to establish the accountability and involvement of government officials.
“Our role is to legislate and that is what we will focus on in our committee report,” he said.
The solon assured the public that claims made during the four-day hearing he described as “most productive” and “shining moment of the House of Representatives” will still be forwarded to concerned agencies.
“I dissent from the proposed Justice Committee report on the investigation of the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison,” Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said in a statement.
For Roque, De Lima should be held liable for allegedly benefiting from the drug trade in Bilibid and for coddling drug lords. He said both offenses are punishable under Sections 6 and 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Roque said the House panel should also recommend De Lima's remival from office in pursuant to Section 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He added that she should also be charged for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“I understand why the majority wants to desist from such a recommendation because it wants to avoid the impression that the investigation was a witch-hunt against Senator de Lima. However, we are elected legislators and we took an oath to uphold the laws of the land. I believe it is incumbent upon the members of Congress to recommend the filing of criminal charges if we believe that our laws have been violated,” Roque said.
Umali earlier said the House probe into the alleged drug trade inside the NBP is not centered on De Lima.
Umali said that there are already cases filed against De Lima and so he does not see any need to recommend the further filing of charges.
“I guess it can be done, but as you very well know, charges have already been filed. So what is there to recommend?" Umali said in a press briefing referring to the complaint filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, a non-government organization, last week.
Umali explained that the House committee’s inquiry is in aid of legislation and the prosecution must be made by the Department of Justice.
He said the goal of the House probe into the alleged proliferation of illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid prison is to establish the accountability and involvement of government officials.
“Our role is to legislate and that is what we will focus on in our committee report,” he said.
The solon assured the public that claims made during the four-day hearing he described as “most productive” and “shining moment of the House of Representatives” will still be forwarded to concerned agencies.
Lawmakers call for charges
Despite the committee chair’s stance, some lawmakers oppose his opinion saying the panel should include recommending of the filing of criminal charges against Sen. Leila De Lima in its report. Witnesses at the hearings said De Lima received money from the illegal drug trade inside the penitentiary.“I dissent from the proposed Justice Committee report on the investigation of the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison,” Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said in a statement.
For Roque, De Lima should be held liable for allegedly benefiting from the drug trade in Bilibid and for coddling drug lords. He said both offenses are punishable under Sections 6 and 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Roque said the House panel should also recommend De Lima's remival from office in pursuant to Section 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He added that she should also be charged for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“I understand why the majority wants to desist from such a recommendation because it wants to avoid the impression that the investigation was a witch-hunt against Senator de Lima. However, we are elected legislators and we took an oath to uphold the laws of the land. I believe it is incumbent upon the members of Congress to recommend the filing of criminal charges if we believe that our laws have been violated,” Roque said.
Umali earlier said the House probe into the alleged drug trade inside the NBP is not centered on De Lima.
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