Detained Senator Leila De Lima’s wish will not be granted.
The former Department of Justice Secretary who is currently
being detained in the general headquarters of the Philippine National Police Custodial
Center in Camp Crame for proliferation
of illegal drugs in the National Penitentiary.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has branded her “mother of all drug lords” in
the first anniversary of detention, and said as far as wishing De Lima that she
spends her whole life in jail. *
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| Harry Roque (left) and Leila De Lima (right) (photo credit to Manila Bulletin) |
“As I said, happy anniversary on
your first year of detention. May you spend the rest of your life in jail,”
Roque said in a press briefing.
“Senator De Lima’s incarceration
shows that the criminal justice system in the Philippines is alive,
effective and working.” he said “Senator De Lima has been detained because of
drug charges. She is the mother of all drug lords by allowing the illegal drug
trade to proliferate inside the National Bilibid Prison when she was the
Department of Justice Secretary.”
On De Lima’s wish to allow her to
take part in the Impeachment proceedings
“Libreng mangarap. Manood na lang siya ng TV kung mayroon siyang TV sa
kulungan (She is free to dream. She can watch the proceedings on TV if there is
one in jail),” Roque said during a Palace briefing.
It was earlier reported that the detained senator made her intentions known
that she is poised to ask the courts to allow her to participate in the
impending impeachment proceedings as a sitting senator.
"Certainly, as a sitting Senator, I am mandated under the Constitution to take part in such proceedings of grave importance. My lawyers will, in due time, file the appropriate motion with the courts,” the detained senator said in a statement. *
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said since de Lima is a senator, she will not be “disqualified” from attending the proceedings.
“Yes, because member siya ng (she is a member of the) Senate. Who knows, malay mo, you do not disqualify just because she is detained. Kasama siya. Malay mo pagdating sa halfway or sa ending, physically (nandito) na siya (She’s included. Maybe halfway during the trial or towards the end, she'll be here physically),” Pimentel said.
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