DOJ Chief: Multiple Charges Eyed vs. De Lima

Senator Leila De Lima may face multiple charges for her alleged links to illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary, Bilibid, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said on Monday.

Charges for violations of the laws against illegal drugs and graft practices may be filed against de Lima based on the affidavits of witnesses, among whom are convicted drug lords locked up at Bilibid.

"Pwede na mag-file ng complaint (against De Lima) based only on the affidavits, and this could undergo a preliminary investigation," Aguirre said at a televised news conference.

There are 30 witnesses that can testify to de Lima's linkage against illegal transactions with drug personalities, Aguirre said, adding that five of them will be presented at the House of Representatives hearing on Tuesday.

Aguirre said that Jaybee Sebastian and Herbert Colangco considered as high-profile inmates testify to the senator's alleged deals to earn funds for her election campaign.

"We will try to do it orderly and present witnesses who would be questioned." Aguirre added.

For her part, De Lima dismissed the allegations of the witnesses, claiming that it was all a "sham" demolition campaign staged by the administration.

De Lima is conducting a separate Senate inquiry on alleged extra judicial killings related to illegal drugs as she refused to attend the Congress inquiry.

During the last session's investigation, a confessed hired gun showed up and claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the deaths of thousands in Davao City as mayor.

De Lima earlier said that several inmates were accessed by the present administration to fabricate testimonies and evidence against her, per information she received.

But, Aguirre claimed that witnesses to be presented at the Congress hearing have volunteered to testify.

Aguirre said witnesses do not have an ax to grind against the senator.

"Wala kaming ipinangako, wala kaming ibinigay, hindi sila tinakot, hindi sila binayaran para mag testify tomorrow." Aguirre added.

Source: Philippine Star