Palace hits US senators’ ‘unfair publicity stunt’ over De Lima case

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday called on two United States senators to stop the “unfair publicity stunt” in urging the Philippine government to release detained Senator Leila de Lima.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said “the call of these foreign officials to release Senator Leila de Lima, who is presently facing charges before an independent Philippine court, is a brazen interference into our sovereignty.”

Panelo was reacting to US Senator Patrick Leahy who said “the Duterte government should either release Senator De Lima immediately or provide her the fair, public trial she is entitled to.”

US Senator Richard Durbin also said “[t]he Duterte regime should stop threatening the travel of these Filipino Americans and so many others who travel between our nations, and instead release Senator de Lima or assure a quick and credible trial.”

Durbin issued the statement after the Philippines said it would require visa to Americans should the ban on Filipino officials travelling to the United States is enforced.

Panelo slammed the reaction of the senators, saying they were “misplaced.”

“Their alternative demand to provide the lady senator a fair, speedy and credible trial is totally misplaced because precisely, that is being given her by the hearing court as required by the Constitution,” he said.

“If any party feels that such constitutional guarantee is not being observed, then such party should avail of appropriate remedial measures under Philippine law instead of resorting to unfair publicity stunts,” he added.

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said De Lima’s case is a matter between Senator De Lima and the People of the Philippines.

“Our criminal statutes are believed to be violated by her,” he said.

“All Filipinos are impleaded in her case by reason of her wrongful acts. Hence, any undue persuasion that tramples upon our judicial processes or puts any form of tension on the officers of our courts relative thereto must be condemned accordingly by all citizens of this state,” he added.

Edited by JE