Aguirre: Testimonies vs De Lima not ‘mere allegations’

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre (right) and Senator Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILES

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is puzzled over the inaction of the Ombudsman to initiate its own investigation against the alleged involvement of Sen. Leila de Lima in the Bilibid drug trade.

Ombudsman Chair Conchita Carpio-Morales earlier said that the testimonies against De Lima were mere allegations and there were no clear leads for the Ombudsman to initiate its own investigation.

READ: Ombudsman won’t carry out own probe of De Lima

De Lima, a former Justice secretary, is being linked to the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and accused of receiving drug money to bankroll her senatorial bid.

“Palagay ko hindi lang mere allegations. These are accusations although testimonial evidence lamang. Pero whether it is testimonial evidence, these are evidence against somebody for being charged of the violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act,” Aguirre told reporters in a Palace briefing.

“Kaya hindi ko po alam kung bakit niya sinasabi (na mere allegations) and I believe that it is the Ombudsman herself who could explain her stand,” he added.

But despite the “resistance” from the Ombudsman, Aguirre said the Department of Justice (DOJ) could investigate De Lima.

“So since we have concurrent jurisdiction, meaning to say that these kinds of cases could be investigated or could be heard in preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman and by the Department of Justice at the same time; so we are conducting, we are continuing our preliminary investigation in connection with these charges,” he said.

Strong case

Aguirre said the evidence against De Lima was “sufficient,” even without the testimonies of her former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan and alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

“Actually, even without Dayan’s testimony, even without Kerwin’s testimony, sufficient na. Sobra-sobra na nga pagdating sa testimonial evidence but considering that we are strengthening the case, parang ‘yung sinasabi ko noon that we would want to file an airtight case, every single additional evidence, we welcome it,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte had alleged that Dayan was De Lima’s bagman and collector of drug money from NBP during her term as justice secretary.

De Lima on Monday night admitted her romance in the past with Dayan, describing it as “frailties of a woman.”

Dayan has eluded authorities after an arrest warrant was issued against him for contempt.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) has raised P1 million as cash reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Dayan. JE

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