The senators will be discussing today matters regarding the expected arrest of Sen. De Lima according to Sen. Pimentel.
PIMENTEL – Senate Pres. Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III warns the Philippine National Police to coordinate with Sen. Leila De Lima and the officials of the Senate in case they will arrest the lady senator.
Since last year, Sen. De Lima has been facing lots of allegations. Recently, news reports regarding her expected arrest broke in. Based on a recent news report in Phil Star Global, her colleagues would be meeting today to discuss her expected arrest.
According to the news report, Senate Pres. Koko Pimentel, in response to recommendations that the chamber would take custody of Sen. De Lima, emphasized the separation of powers between the three branches of the government.
Emphasizing the independence of the three branches – the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary, Sen. Pimentel gave an admission that there is somehow nothing that the Senate can do for its member.
However, the Senate President warned the Philippine National Police to coordinate with the lady senator and the officials of the Senate in case they will arrest Sen. De Lima.
He expressed that under the Revised Penal Code, disruptive the sessions of the legislative branch is punishable.
Based on the news report, the lady Senator expressed that being an official of the government, her case should have been charged before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Sen. Pimentel expressed his encouragement to the lady Senator to bring her petition that her cases would be probed by the Ombudsman to the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, on the part of the Palace, speaking in an interview with dzRB radio station, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella emphasized the obedience to the due process.
Sen. De Lima is one of the staunch critics of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Last year, there were intense exchanges of statements between the two. Reportedly, the lady Senator has even received an international award for standing up against the Chief Executive.
Based on a previous news report, Sen. De Lima is one of those who are on the list of government officials who are alleged drug protectors.
Currently, the lady Senator is facing allegations of involvement in the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was the Secretary of Department of Justice.