Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Thursday said she won’t be attending Friday’s Senate inquiry that will deal on newly-resigned Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno.
De Lima said she has sent a “letter of regrets,” to the Senate, saying she will not be able to attend the investigation on Puno to be conducted by the upper chamber’s committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes and laws, chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, “due to conflict of schedule.”
In a text message, De Lima said that the hearing will coincide with two important meetings she needs to attend at Malacañang.
She said she has to attend a Cabinet security cluster meeting and a meeting of the peace process at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, on Friday.
“Also, (I have) no authority yet from the President,” De Lima added.