MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has a lot of explaining to do when she faces the powerful Commission on Appointments, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Thursday.
But Lacson, a member of the Commission, assured that he would not automatically reject de Lima’s appointment even after they clashed on the lifting of the warrant of arrest issued against the senator.
Lacson cried foul when De Lima insisted that the arrest warrant was still in effect even after the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of a double-murder case filed against him.
“Ah hindi naman, hindi naman automatic na ganun. I’m going to ask a lot of questions bordering on policy,” Lacson told reporters when asked if he would block de Lima’s appointment.
“Ang sinasabing policy questions e bordering on competence and qualifications. Syempre, papano mo iha-handle mga cases? Papaano mong sinusunod yung rules? Papaano mong ina-apply yung batas?” the senator added.
But the Justice Secretary, in a chance interview at the Senate on Thursday, expressed readiness to face an intense questioning, not only by Lacson, but by other members of the Commission as well.
“Well, I would welcome that . Of course, I’d like to say that I’ll be ready always kahit hindi si Senator Ping Lacson ang mag-interrogate sa akin sa CA,” De Lima told reporters.
Last April, De Lima had actually offered the olive branch to Lacson when she accepted his offer to help in the plunder cases involving former President, and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
De Lima, however, said she would want to know first in what way Lacson would contribute to the cases against Arroyo.
“We always welcome any help from any proper party, because first of all we have lots of cases here at the Department of Justice, but in what capacity? We’re pleased to hear about that (Lacson’s offer) but of course nobody can just participate in any case. So my first question, is in what capacity? I wish to be further enlightened if he’s really serious with his offer,” the Secretary had clarified to reporters.
Earlier, Lacson said he was willing to present additional evidence that will support the plunder complaints filed against Arroyo, adding that he would share documents and witnesses that may pin the former president.
De Lime said that while she expects to be grilled during her confirmation hearing up ahead, she expressed hope hopes that the CA members would be “kinder” to her.
“I just want that my rights are also protected when I appear before proceedings like that. Siguro naman, as Justice Secretary, may mga karapatan din naman ako,” she said.
And as far as she is concerned, the Justice Secretary said she was not at war with Lacson.
“Alam nyo naman na pagdating sa trabaho, I never take things personally. It’s just that on any DOJ issue that I need to intervene in, or any case or incident that I need to act on, I don’t care who is involved. I think nami-misinterpret ako dyan,” she opined.