Updated 4:16 p.m.
Former President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday admitted that the possibility of suffering the same fate that befell Senator Leila De Lima sometimes crossed his mind.
The former Philippine leader made the remark at the preliminary investigation into the controversial national anti-dengue vaccination project at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila.
“Hindi natin maiwasang mag-isip ng ganun,” Aquino said when asked if he thinks he could be sent to prison just like De Lima.
Aquino, together with former Health Secretary Janette Garin, former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and several others, was facing charges due to a possible violation of Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); Section 65 of RA 9184 (Government Procurement, Reform Act); Article 220 (Technical Malversation) of the Revised Penal Code; and Article 365 (Criminal Negligence) of the Revised Penal Code for purchasing and using Dengvaxia vaccine to children.
Aquino lamented that the testimonies of convicted felons were used to lock up De Lima, who earned the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte for initiating a Senate investigation into the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country in July 2016.
De Lima has been detained at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police for more than a year on drug charges.
“The only (thing) we have is the truth and with the help of God, we will overcome these challenges,” Aquino said.
The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), a body created by Duterte, wanted Aquino and Abad prosecuted for approving the Disbursement Acceleration Program, a special budget allocated to accelerate or hasten a government project without Congress or Senate’s approval.
Former Manila Councilor Greco Belgica, a PACC official, has said that over P6 billion of the P144 billion DAP funds went to questionable projects. /kga