President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said Sen. Leila de Lima could suffer the same fate as former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and “rot in jail” if the drug charges against her would be proven true.
“You think those officials who testified against her (De Lima) are lying? These so many NBI agents and all? If those connections are true, she will rot in jail. She will rot in jail. There’s no bail because not only did she encourage in allowing shabu to enter in and out—she was a principal by direct participation,” he said in a press briefing in Beijing, China.
“I am telling you now, she is in danger of going to jail. And remember the moment the indictment is charged in court, there’s no bail. And she could be what Gloria Arroyo suffered,” he added.
Arroyo was detained for five years for alleged misuse of P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds. The now Pampanga representative and House deputy speaker walked free in July after the Supreme Court voted to acquit her in the remaining plunder case.
READ: Arroyo: De Lima to enjoy due process in Bilibid probe
Amid initial investigation on alleged electoral fraud in 2011, Arroyo was barred by the justice department under De Lima from leaving the country to seek treatment despite a temporary restraining order from the high tribunal.
READ: Arroyo ally says Bilibid probe is De Lima’s ‘karma’
De Lima was at the center of a congressional probe on the proliferation of drugs at the national penitentiary, which saw high-profile convicts and former subordinates accusing her of allegedly receiving drug money for her campaign kitty.
De Lima called the House justice committee report on the Bilibid drug trade, which did not recommend her prosecution, a “sham conclusion.” RAM/rga