Estrada wants ‘juicy’ details on De Lima

Senator Jinggoy Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Expected to be in the hot seat in Wednesday’s confirmation hearings at the Commission on Appointments is Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing possible plunder charges in the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam, said he would not oppose the confirmation of De Lima, who heads the government investigation into the alleged P10-billion scam that has also snared Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr.

Estrada said he would attend the hearing to listen to whistle-blower Sandra Cam’s reasons for opposing De Lima’s confirmation. Cam will reportedly reveal personal things about De Lima.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, however, said he would not allow personal matters at the hearing.

“I won’t allow it to become the venue for the propagation of rumors,” Pimentel said.

For his part, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje will have to return to the confirmation hearings next week after he was peppered with questions by committee members on Tuesday.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the CA committee on environment and natural resources, said the questioning of Paje will resume on Tuesday as Sen. Serge Osmeña still had many questions to ask him.

Legarda said she hoped Paje would be confirmed next week but this was up to the committee members.

“If not, we can schedule a hearing in July upon the resumption (of Congress),” she told reporters.

For his part, Osmeña said he did not know if Paje would get the CA’s nod next week, adding that this would “depend on how responsive he is to the questions.”

Osmeña said he was not satisfied with some of Paje’s answers on Tuesday to questions on policy, particularly on his actions on certain issues.

RELATED STORIES

Cam appears in Senate to oppose De Lima confirmation 

De Lima to face appointments body Wednesday, may get confirmed — Pimentel