QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Malacañang has clarified that the three illegal drug cases filed against Senator Leila De Lima were not politically motivated.
“Drug cases do not involve one’s political beliefs. It involves one’s choice to be involved in illegal drugs,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
According to Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, the Department of Justice filed a simple criminal case against Senator De Lima for her alleged participation in the illegal drug operations in the New Bilibid Prison.
“De Lima’s case is not politically motivated. It is, simply put, criminal in nature. The human rights organization might bear that in mind before it attempts to obligate the Duterte administration,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said that lady senator may have forgotten the provisions of Republic Act 9165 and the Supreme Court decision holding that illegal drug cases can be filed in the trial courts, leading to De Lima being complacent in her defense.
Senator De Lima was adamant that the trial courts have no jurisdiction for the reason that she is an elected official and that the cases should have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Eagle News Service
