Senate ethics body to decide De Lima’s fate

The Senate committee on ethics and privileges is set to decide next week whether or not to give due course to a complaint filed against Sen. Leila de Lima over her alleged links to the drug trade.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, the committee chair, said on Wednesday that the seven-member body would meet to decide whether the complaint, filed by lawyer Abelardo de Jesus in August, was sufficient in form and substance.

He said the matter of jurisdiction might also be decided. It’s the committee’s second meeting this session.

“We will decide on Tuesday morning what are the next steps that we will be taking …  We’ll try to settle everything,” Sotto told reporters.

The complainant has not been invited, as the committee is still going to make initial discussions on the case.

“We will act on the complaint first. We’ll inform him, we’ll decide what to do next in that particular meeting on Tuesday,” Sotto said.

The committee first met on Aug. 30, an organizational meeting when members were given copies of the complaint.

In his complaint, de Jesus said that he had no personal knowledge of de Lima’s alleged drug links and that he had based his complaint on President Duterte’s accusations against the Senator.

In several public speeches, the President had accused De Lima of coddling drug lords and profiting from drug money at the national penitentiary during her time as Justice Secretary.

The New Bilibid Prisons, the country’s main correctional facility, is under the purview of the Department of Justice.

During her time as justice chief, De Lima led raids in the crowded prison several times, leading to the discovery that high-profile convicts were still running the illicit trade behind bars. The crackdown also led to the bust of luxury villas, cash, and other contraband.

De Lima has repeatedly denied the allegations, and challenged Mr. Duterte’s to show proof.

De Lima, chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, had earlier initiated an investigation into the spate of drug-related deaths since the President took office on July 1.

She had agreed to suspend the proceedings this week, heeding a call made by  Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for a break while Mr. Duterte is on his first overseas trip.

Sotto did not comment when asked whether he believed the case complaint would proceed, saying the complaint was “very serious” that needed a decision by the committee.

“In this case, we’re talking about the situation and the stature of a member of the Senate. So the chairman cannot unilaterally act on anything. There must be a committee discussion on any committee decision. So my opinion is immaterial at this point,” he said.