‘Poe never persuaded De Lima to violate law’

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Sen. Grace Poe debunked claims yesterday by the lawyer of an expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister that the senator might have violated the law for reportedly dissuading the Department of Justice from pursuing the complaint filed against some of the religious sect’s leaders.

Nelson Victorino, Poe’s chief of staff, slammed lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who claimed in her supposed Facebook account that the senator tried to influence Justice Secretary Leila de Lima when she urged her to focus on other cases, not just the INC issue.

“Sen. Poe did not persuade, induce or influence Secretary De Lima to commit any violation of the law. In her statements, she did not even suggest that Secretary De Lima stop the investigation of the complaint against INC personalities,” Victorino said.

Angeles is the counsel of expelled INC minister Isaias Samson Jr., who filed an illegal detention case against top INC officials that was subject of an investigation by the justice department.

Victorino said Poe acknowledges that it is De Lima’s duty to investigate criminal complaints.

“But she also recognizes that the INC members enjoy certain freedoms, like freedom of expression and the right to peacefully assemble to express themselves within the bounds of the law,” he added.

As this developed, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III expressed belief that every person has the right to express views on the recent INC protest that affected traffic flow along major thoroughfares, especially EDSA, last weekend.

Pimentel, who chairs the Senate committee on justice and human rights, challenged Angeles to file a case against Poe if she thinks the senator violated the law. 

Pimentel noted that freedom of speech or the freedom of expression is manifested in Poe’s recent statements on the INC issue.

“These politicians, these public officials are only airing their position, their thinking on the issue. So freedom of speech and freedom of expression prevails… attorney Angeles can file a complaint if she wants, but this can be dismissed,” Pimentel said.

“It was just an airing of an opinion,” he added.