UNA questions De Lima’s ‘sudden interest’ in Binay probe

DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima. Photo courtesy of UNTV

MANILA, Philippines – The political party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) questioned Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s ‘sudden interest’ in the Senate hearings against Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Anong nangyari sa affidavit ni Czech Amb. Josef Rychtar na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa inilalabas ng NBI? Anong nangyari sa affidavit at listahan ni Napoles na sangkot ang 18 senador at mahigit 100 congressman? Anong nangyari sa imbestigasyon sa Malampaya Fund scam na halos puro politiko ng LP (Liberal Party )ang nakinabang? What made her switch priorities and put so much interest in the Makati probe?” UNA acting president Toby Tiangco asked.

(What happened to the affidavit of Czech Amb. Josef Rychtar that is not yet released by the NBI until now? What happened to the affidavit and Napoles’ list involving 18 senators and almost 100 congressmen? What happened to the investigation of the Malampaya Fund scam where those who benefitted are mostly LP (Liberal Party) politicians? What made her switch priorities and put so much interest in the Makati probe?)

For Tiangco, de Lima’s interest in the hearings confirms the rumors that the Liberal Party (LP), another political party, is behind the believed demolition job against Binay.

“Nakikisawsaw na siya sa issue, nagbigay pa ng statement na credible ang mga nag-aakusa kahit hindi pa niya nakakausap at nakikita ang ebidensya, kung meron man. Walang kaibahan si de Lima sa mga senador na nagsabi nang may kasalanan si VP Binay kahit noong hindi pa nagsisimula ang zarzuela (lyrical drama) nila. But we need to ask her: What has happened to the other cases involving friends of the President?” Tiangco said.

(She gets involved in the issue and gives a statement that the accusers are credible even if she has not talked to them yet or has seen evidence, if there is any. De Lima has no difference to the senators who said VP Binay has fault even when their zarzuela (lyrical drama) has not yet started. But we need to ask her: What has happened to the other cases involving friends of the President?)

De Lima’s use of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to find Gerardo Limlingan and Eduviges Baloloy, Binay’s supposed trusted aids who might have knowledge regarding the alleged irregularities in Makati, was also criticized.

UNA acting secretary general JV Bautista pointed out that this is an infringement of the Constitutional principle of separation of powers. He said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is not in the position to get involved in the Senate investigation.

“In doing so, however, she (de Lima) is abusing her authority, if not outrightly flouting the law. That is not how a proper secretary of justice must behave,” he said.

Bautista warned that corrective actions may already be called for if de Lima does not stop her ‘acts of harassment.’

With report from Cyra Moraleda