SC orders DAR exec to reply to Sandra Cam’s gov’t spying accusation

Sandra Cam: Government spying. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has instructed a Department of Agrarian Reform official to reply to the petition for habeas data filed by Sandra Cam, president of the Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines, regarding the government’s alleged spying on her activities.

The high tribunal’s spokesman, Theodore Te, said the court, during it en banc session on Tuesday, required Assistant Secretary Alex Almario and his driver to comment on the suit within 10 days.

Aside from Almario and Mahilum, Cam also sued a certain “Sir Noy” referred to by Almario as his superior and several other John Does.

Cam claimed Almario, who introduced himself as an unofficial representative of the government, tried to have a meeting with her last May 1 in her residence in Alfonso, Cavite.

When the meeting did not push trough, Cam said she noticed suspicious-looking vehicles roaming her area from from April 30 to May 3.

Almario denied doing surveillance court on Cam. He said he merely visited Cam because he was passing through Alfonso on his way to Tagaytay City.

Cam earlier claimed to have in her possession a list of former and current lawmakers involved in the scam using the Priority Development Assistance Funds.

She also accused government investigators, including Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, of influencing the probe of the scam by prioritizing perceived political opponents of the Aquino administration.