Sandra Cam vows to throw dirt at De Lima if…

By: Jovic Yee - 9 years ago

Sandra Cam. INQUIRER.net’s FILE PHOTO

If Justice Secretary Leila de Lima fails to file the third batch of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) cases next month, she can expect dirt to be thrown at her planned senatorial run.

This was the stern warning of former “jueteng” whistle-blower Sandra Cam on Wednesday as she gave De Lima an ultimatum to finally file in August the third batch of corruption cases against lawmakers who allegedly misused government funds.

The current and former lawmakers reportedly included in this batch are Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega and Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing.

Cam, the head of the Whistle-blowers Association of the Philippines, said her sources inside the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation are also wondering why the third batch of PDAF cases had yet to be filed in the Office of the Ombudsman despite its completion months ago.

Asked what she thinks is the reason the cases are still pending in De Lima’s office, Cam said the justice secretary was afraid her actions may cost her inclusion in the administration’s senatorial lineup in next year’s elections. De Lima said in a recent television interview that she was 80 percent sure she’d run for the Senate.

“She might not be included [in the lineup]. It will become known that she doesn’t know how to give protection [to allies],” Cam told reporters in a chance interview at a press forum in San Juan on Wednesday.

She warned that if De Lima refused to file the cases next month, “I’ll be among those who will destroy her come campaign season.”