MANILA – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, on Wednesday was privy on details about the second ethics complaint filed against Senator Leila de Lima but said that he was inclined to go for the dismissal of the first complaint due to lack of jurisdiction.
“Based on what I read, I’m inclined to go along with those who will move for the dismissal,” Lacson said.
To recall, a complaint was previously filed by lawyer Abelardo de Jesus against De Lima in relation to her culpability in the reported illegal drug operations inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Senate Majority Leader Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III disclosed that a second ethics complaint has been filed against De Lima on Tuesday night but did not give any details.
He, however, said that the committee is set to tackle the issue on the jurisdiction of the first complaint against De Lima by next week.
Lacson admitted that he knew how it felt to go through what De Lima was facing.
He recalled how he has gone through the same when he went into hiding in 2010 after being tagged as responsible for the death of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.
“Honestly, I have experienced that and I know how it feels. But she claims I doublespeak. I was referring to the degree of harassment that she received now compared to what I received before,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The senator said that he was merely stating an opinion and advised De Lima to make more allies especially in the Senate.
“Her battles outside, we have no control of. But here, it would be better if you being embattled to try not to argue or at the very least, stay quiet if you can’t gain any allies,” Lacson said.
He said that the Senate should prioritize legislative work over arguing with fellow senators and other government officials.
“If (she) wants to fight, bring it on. But I hope it doesn’t reach that point because we want to focus on legislative work. We want to put a closure on the EJK (extrajudicial) investigation, put closure on ethics investigation, then focus more on our legislative work,” he added.