Palace: Up to Senate to deal with De Lima

MANILA, Philippines – It would be up to the Senate to deal with Sen. Leila de Lima, who has been linked by President Duterte to the illegal drug trade operated from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Malacañang said yesterday.

Asked if he thinks De Lima should quit after she was tagged in the drug matrix released by Duterte, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said, “Let’s wait for the decision of the court in the event that it reaches the court. Let’s wait for the Senate, which is a collective body. They have rules to contend with.”

“I think it’s up to the Senate to decide the next steps for Senator De Lima because it is an independent body,” he added.

Andanar said it is too early to speculate on what would happen to De Lima and the other personalities named in the drug matrix.

“Those who are following the story are expecting the filing of cases,” he said.

Andanar said there was no timetable set for the filing of charges against those involved in the drug trade.

“If there is prima facie evidence and if the persons of interests did not file counter affidavits, then they will be charged,” he said.

Last week, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the officials in the drug matrix may face graft and criminal charges.

Palace claims victory

Andanar claimed that the naming of officials with alleged links to drug rings and the surrender of thousands of drug personalities indicated that the Duterte administration has won the first phase of its war on drugs.

“More than 700,000 have turned themselves in to be rehabilitated. And if we look at the names of those in the top echelons of society who were mentioned in the drug matrix, it can be considered a victory in the drug war,” he said.

“We will now move on to the second phase of the drug campaign and President Duterte will be the one to explain the next phase,” Andanar added.

Malacañang also claimed victory in the drug war in the government-run tabloid Masa, launched two weeks ago.

According to the tabloid, Duterte is destroying “narco politics” and is dismantling the drug apparatus throughout the country.

More than 160 officials, including active and retired uniformed personnel, have been accused of protecting or benefitting from the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

Duterte previously claimed that De Lima had an illicit affair with her married driver Ronnie Dayan, who allegedly collected money from drug lords to bankroll her senatorial bid.

The President also claimed that the senator’s “sexual escapades” and “immorality” compelled her to violate the law and grant special privileges to some inmates at the NBP.

He, however, has yet to show evidence backing up his allegations against De Lima.

De Lima served as justice secretary during the Aquino administration. The Bureau of Corrections, which supervises the NBP, is under the justice department.

De Lima is the highest official tagged in the drug matrix released by Duterte to media last week.

Former Pangasinan governor and now fifth district Rep. Amado Espino Jr.; suspended provincial administrator Rafael Baraan; his brother former justice undersecretary Francis Baraan; Urbiztondo, Pangasinan Mayor Raul Sison; former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu and Dayan were also included in the matrix.

According to Duterte, Dayan received monthly payments from Bucayu through a certain Senior Police Officer 1 Palisoc.

Bucayu allegedly served as an intermediary between De Lima and Espino, who was also tagged in black sand mining, quarrying and the illegal numbers game jueteng.

Rafael was accused of being a cover for Espino’s illegal activities.

The justice department said at least six witnesses – inmates, prison guards and friends of De Lima and Dayan – are ready to support Duterte’s allegations.

House to summon DOJ chief

The House of Representatives will summon Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to its inquiry into illegal drug operations in the national penitentiary, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said on Saturday.

“There are several witnesses who want to attend the House probe and they are in the custody of the Department of Justice. That’s why we have to summon DOJ Secretary Aguirre along with the witnesses,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said they are not prejudging De Lima’s guilt or innocence.

“We just want to know why drugs proliferated under her watch as justice secretary, particularly in 2014,” he said.

“We have to remember that the House and the Senate have no prosecutorial power. All we can do is investigate in aid of legislation,” he added.

According to Alvarez, it will be up to the House committees on justice, public safety and order to recommend what laws can be amended to solve the drug problem in the national penitentiary.

Espino asked to go on leave

House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro advised Espino to voluntarily take a leave while the former Pangasinan governor is being probed by the House committee on ethics for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

“He should go on leave while clearing his name,” Castro said.

Espino had denied links to the illegal drug trade.

Alvarez earlier assured Espino that he would be accorded due process. – With Delon Porcalla