WITHOUT an arrest order by the court, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s aides being linked to corruption allegations against him are still free to leave the country, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Monday.
Pimentel, who chairs the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee, noted that Binay’s finance officer, Gerry Limlingan, and his longtime secretary, Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy, were just ordered arrested by the Senate, and not by the court.
“As a lawyer, tinuruan kami na flight is an indication of guilt so yun po ang aking automatic na naiisip na bakit tumatakbo, dahil guilty,” he told reporters in a phone patch interview.
“Wala naman tayong magawa pa sa ngayon dahil walang legal basis to arrest them na ordered by a court, ordered by the Senate lang naman yung arrest order nila for purposes of bringing them to the Senate lang yung arrest order e,” he pointed out, reacting to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s claim that Limlingan and Baloloy have already fled the country.
READ: 2 top Binay aides have fled PH–Trillanes
Pimentel, who is leading the Senate probe against Binay, said only the courts could issue a hold departure order (HDO) against any person.
Even a mere inclusion on a watch list, he said, should not also be used as a basis to hold one’s departure.
When asked if Limlingan and Baloloy are still free to leave the country, Pimentel said yes, adding that the use of an HDO should be restrictive.
“Pag walang categorical na hold departure order, dapat allowed yung tao na makabyahe,” said the senator. AC