Duterte on De Lima calls to probe drug killings: It’s her job

It’s the job of Sen. Leila de Lima.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he did not fault Sen. Leila de Lima for her calls to investigate the rising cases of alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.

“I do not blame De Lima, trabaho niya iyan eh,” Duterte said in his speech before members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) at Malacañang.

READ: Stop the killings–Leila

Duterte, who served as a judge for years, said he would also do the same if he were in De Lima’s shoes.

“Kung ako nandiyan, yayariin talaga kita,” he said.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Malacañang was open on the said Senate investigation.

Abella said the planned probe was part of the Senate’s mandate.

“Basically, that is the job of the legislative, to be able to exercise their independent authority. So they’re welcome to make the necessary investigations as they see fit,” he said.

De Lima, a known critic of President Duterte, earlier filed a resolution to investigate the spate of drug-related killings.

On Tuesday, De Lima made a privilege speech, blasting the Duterte administration’s “do-it-yourself justice system.”

Abella said Duterte was aware of the alleged rise in extrajudicial killings.

“He has been aware and he is looking into these matters,” the spokesperson said.