De Lima denies ordering Dayan to collect drug money

Sen. Leila de Lima categorically denies knowing nor receiving money from suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa through her former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan or others during the second Senate inquiry and investigation on the killing of Espinosa Sr. Looking on is Sen. Bam Aquino.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Senator Leila de Lima branded as a “big lie” allegations that she had ordered her former aide to collect money for her from a suspected drug lord.

“Yung sinasabi na intusan ko siyang humingi ng pera from Kerwin Espinosa. Malaking kasinungalingan po yan,” De Lima said in an interview at the Senate Wednesday, referring to former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan.

READ: Dayan admits delivering Kerwin’s money to De Lima

“Apparently, na-access na rin siya ng mga gusto talaga akong sirain, nagpi-pressure sa mga witnesses. So I’m sure may dahilan kung bakit napilitan na rin siya na magsinungaling,” she said.

Dayan claimed that he had collected money five times from alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa upon De Lima’s order. He repeated this allegation during the ongoing hearing of the House of Representatives’ justice committee this Thursday on the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison under De Lima’s watch when she still justice secretary.

Espinosa confirmed during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on Wednesday that he gave De Lima P8 million in tranches through Dayan.

READ: Kerwin: Ronnie Dayan transacted for De Lima

Asked how she felt that Dayan and Espinosa were testifying against her, De Lima said: “What do you think.? Mga kasinungalingan ang tawag ko diyan…”

The senator has repeatedly denied receiving a single centavo from illegal drugs. RAM/rga