No definite time for filing of charges vs Arroyos, says De Lima

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday clarified that the Department of Justice could not categorically give a definite date in filing cases against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family.

“That one I cannot make an expressed commitment because all the cases are already going through the process,” De Lima told reporters when asked to comment on President Aquino’s statement before the foreign media on Wednesday that the government would file cases against Arroyo in November.

“I would not want to preempt the outcome of the investigations (of various government agencies),” she said.

In a news briefing with members of the Foreign Correspondents of the Philippines, Mr. Aquino disclosed that the government was keen on charging Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, over allegations of corruption and poll irregularities next month.

According to De Lima, the President’s statement was “just a reiteration” of his administration’s commitment to bring to justice former government officials accused of wrongdoing.

“That is and always [has] been the target of this administration, to hold people accountable, including former high officials of government for graft and corruption,” she said.