Palace defends De Lima amid involvement in Binay probe
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – It was the Senate’s decision to ask for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s help in shedding light to the corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay, Malacañang pointed out on Monday.
“The Senate asked Secretary De Lima for assistance,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a televised press briefing.
He said it was not the first time that happened since Senator Cynthia Villar had also asked the National Bureau of Investigation for help when they were holding an inquiry on the rice smuggling issue.
“It’s not right to say they violated the separation of powers,” Lacierda said of the opposition’s accusation that De Lima’s order to interrogate others involved in the alleged overpricing of the Makati City parking building was conflicting with the Senate’s wish to issue subpoenas.
The United Nationalist Alliance earlier questioned De Lima’s “sudden interest” in the issue. Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco accused the Justice Secretary of having double standards and an eroded credibility.
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