Minority senators denounces SC decision on De Lima case

The members of the bloc are Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Francis Pangilinan. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

The Senate minority body on Tuesday decried the Supreme Court’s (SC) 9-6 ruling, junking the petition of detained Senator Leila de Lima to recall the arrest warrant filed against her by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court.

“Naniniwala kami na Ombudsman ang may jurisdiction sa kasong ito ni Sen. Leila De Lima. Hindi kami sang-ayon pero nirerespeto namin ang desisyon ng Supreme Court. Umaasa kaming itatama ng ating mga mahistrado ang hindi makatuwirang pagpapakulong kay Senator De Lima [We believe that the Ombudsman has jurisdiction over Sen. Leila de Lima’s case. We don’t agree, but we respect the decision of Supreme Court. We are hopeful that the justices will correct the unjust detention of Senator de Lima],” the Senate minority body said in a statement.

“Nakakabahala na siya pang ginagamit ang batas para isulong ang katarungan ang nagiging biktima ng mali o abusadong pagpapatupad nito [It’s alarming that the one who uses the law to advance justice is becoming a victim of injustice or abusive enforcement of the law],” they said.

“Nakakabahala, pero nagtitiwala pa rin tayo sa batas, sa katarungan, at sa talino ng mga tagapagtaguyod ng ating mga karapatang mabuhay nang may kalayaan — tayo mismo [It’s alarming but we still trust the law, justice, and the wisdom of those who promote the right to freedom—ourselves],” they added.

The members of the bloc are Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Francis Pangilinan.

In an interview, Drilon said that the SC should take a close second look at their decision as soon as de Lima files a motion for reconsideration. He added that the ruling of the court could still be altered if de Lima could convince two justices to favor her petition.

“In fact, she can file a motion for reconsideration. Maybe some of the justices should inhibit,” Drilon said.

The Minority Leader stressed that the bloc won’t give up and that the SC’s ruling would not suppress them from requesting the court to allow de Lima fulfill her duties as a senator.

Hontiveros said that the senator’s detention is based merely on “fake” and “baseless” allegations. Furthermore, Hontiveros guaranteed that the bloc would continue to support de Lima and would fight for truth and justice.

Meanwhile, Aquino said that the SC should grant de Lima her rights as a duly-elected senator.

“The minority will continue to throw our support behind Sen. Leila as she exhausts all legal remedies by appealing the Supreme Court’s decision. Umaasa tayo na sa huli, makakamtan din ni Senator De Lima ang patas na pagkakataon at hustisya [We are hoping that in the end, Senator De Lima will obtain fair opportunity and justice],” Aquino said.

De Lima is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center inside Camp Crame in Quezon City, facing three criminal charges for allegedly receiving bribes from New Bilibid Prison (NBP) drug lords during her term as Justice secretary.

The senator is also accused for allegedly using bribes from illegal drug trade to fund her 2016 senatorial campaign. She was also charged with three counts of violation of Section No. 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in connection to trafficking and criminal liability of government officials.