MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang defended Saturday the decision of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to investigate allegations of corruption and unexplained wealth hurled against Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“The DOJ is only executing its mandate and like any government agency they are only carrying out their duty and their mandate under relevant laws,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run radio.
“I think, from what you can see from Secretary de Lima, she does not work based on personality. She works based on the facts and circumstances that have been presented,” Valte added.
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In a press conference on Wednesday, De Lima said the DOJ created a “dedicated team to investigate the allegations against the Binays and only President Benigno Aquino III could stop her from investigating.
United Nationalists Alliance (UNA) interim president and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco said De Lima should not put Aquino on the spot by boasting that only the President could stop her investigation of the Binays and other personalities implicated in the scandal.
Reacting to UNA’s statement, Valte said De Lima did not intend to drag the President’s name in the issue.
“It was just a nod and an acknowledgment that she is an alter ego of a higher position. I don’t think she intended to drag the President into anything,” she said.
The UNA has questioned De Lima’s “sudden interest” in the issue. Tiangco accused the Justice Secretary of having double standards and an eroded credibility.
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