The National Bureau of Investigation filed drug case against Senator Leila De Lima and 17 others.
Senator Leila de Lima is facing new charges related to her connection on illegal drugs trade proliferating inside the national penitentiary.
With de Lima, 17 others are facing the same case.
The charges was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and were based on the report of the agency’s investigation into the proliferation and trade of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Based on the NBI report, De Lima violated the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
According to NBI, De Lima also violated Presidential Decree 46, which penalizes public officials and employees who receive, and for private reasons, give gifts on any occasion.
Aside from the female senator, 17 others who are also facing the same charges include former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Franklin Bucayu, former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former BuCor officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, De Lima’s former security aide Joenel Sanchez, De Lima’s former driver Ronnie Dayan, NBI agent Jovencio Ablen Jr., Bucayu’s alleged bagman Wilfredo Elli, DOJ employee Jesusa Francisco, De Lima’s former personal assistant Lyn Sagun, Julius Rejuso and an alias George.
The high-profile inmates inside the NBP were also included on the case namely: Jaybee Sebastian, Herbert Colanggo, Engelbert Durano, Vicente Sy, Peter Co and Jojo Baligad.
Earlier, the said high-profile inmates faced the hearing of the Lower House on the illegal drug trade inside the NBP. They all implicated de Lima on the protection of the drug lords asking money for her election expenses.
In October, members of the Philippine National Police and former officials of the NBI also filed drug charges against De Lima, because of the accusations that the senator is receiving payoffs from drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa.
In November 4, convicted kidnapper and alleged drug lord Jaybee Sebastian filed complaints against the senator and two prison officials before the Department of Justice (DOJ) due to connection on illegal drug trade inside the NBP.
Aside from de Lima, also included in the complaint list of Sebastian are former Bureau of Corrections chief Ricardo Rainier Cruz, and former New Bilibid Prison director Richard Schwarzkopf Jr.