IBP to continue disbarment probe vs De Lima

MANILA, Philippines - The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday denied Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's motion for reconsideration on the disbarment case lodged against her.

IBP President Roan Libarios said the decision of the IBP to deny De Lima's petition was unanimous.

"Our position is based only in the rule of law. Our concern only is that the rule of law is upheld," Libarios told reporters after the IBP announced its decision.

The IBP chief, meanwhile, clarified that the decision to continue with the probe on De Lima is based on the merits of the disbarment case. He said the IBP is only complying with its existing rules and procedures.

De Lima is one of the 20 nominees interviewed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the chief justice position.

Libarios also said that the decision whether to include or disqualify De Lima among the chief justice shortlist rests with the JBC. The JBC is expected to submit the shortlist Monday to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, one of the members of the JBC, earlier said the council would interview De Lima and allow her to participate in the selection process pending the decision of the IBP on the disbarment case.

Tupas, however, said that De Lima should secure the dismissal of the case before the JBC votes on the nominees to be included in the shortlist.

The IBP is expected to come out with the results on the investigation of the disbarment case in September.

The disbarment case stemmed from the alleged defiance of De Lima of the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the hold-departure order (HDO) against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The SC has allowed Arroyo to go out of the country to seek treatment for her medical condition. De Lima, however, ordered immigration officials to bar Arroyo from leaving, citing the HDO against the former President.

Speculations were then rife that Mrs. Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, would be seeking asylum abroad to avoid prosecution in a number of electoral fraud and corruption cases.