Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II filed a criminal complaint against Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly violating the Republic Act 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Law for releasing to the public a photograph of his alleged text messages to former Negros Oriental representative Jacinto Paras last month.
When asked why he did not file the criminal raps at Office of the Ombudsman, which is mandated to investigate individuals’ complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities, Aguirre answered in a text message that “it is the civil courts and the National Prosecution Service that have jurisdiction over the cases because the offenses were committed when Sen. Hontiveros was not in the performance of her official duties”.
However, Aguirre emphasized that Hontiveros has nothing to fear because DOJ will treat the cases fairly and with justice.
DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 10/ 02 /17