MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday slammed Sen. Leila De Lima for allegedly planning to launch an investigation "in aid of media mileage” and not “in aid of legislation.”
“Hindi po ito investigation in aid (of) legislation. To me, I think this (is an) investigation in aid of (media) mileage,” Calida said in a televised press briefing.
“This is a serious situation now, hindi po ito papogian sa media,” he added. If proven, Calida said he would ask Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel not to attend the probes.
De Lima, a former Justice secretary and Commission on Human Rights chief, is pushing for a Senate inquiry into the spate of drug-related extrajudicial killings.
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Calida said there is no need to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation. He also questioned De Lima’s capability to launch a probe when she was not able to curb illegal drug problems during her term as Justice secretary.
“De Lima was a secretary of Justice for six years pero anong nangyari? Lalong lumakas ang proliferation ng droga even at her own turf at the national penitentiary,” the solicitor general said.
“If she's truly sincere to stop the drug menace in this country, let us ask her what did you do as Justice secretary in charge of the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) prosecution service and the correctional?” he said.
Calida said Delima failed to combat criminality in the country's prison and cited the Bilibid 19 or the detained prisoners with high profile cases found with contrabands inside their cells. He said he is also mulling on the possible filing of cases against the senator over the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs during her term as Justice secretary.
The solicitor general advised De Lima to review the criminal law, saying there are justifying circumstances under the Revised Penal Code that could exempt from criminal liability. He said that since the PNP is dealing with drug addicts who are not in a normal mental condition, there must be a presumption of regularity.
Calida said De Lima must know that the drug crazed offenders have a different mindset that sets the authorities under very dangerous “situations.” “We do not want the police to be killed in the line of their duty,” he added.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said the call for a probe against the police “dampens the morale of the PNP personnel.” However, he said that since the Office of the Solicitor General declared to back them up the PNP should maintain their high morale.
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