The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Thursday commended the issuance of warrant of arrest for Senator Leila De Lima, and vowed that it will closely monitor the cases against the senator.
“The VACC commends the courage of the Judge who issued the Warrant of Arrest despite the obvious pressures coming from her allies and Partymates. We urge the other two Judges to do the same,” VACC president Dante Jimenez said in a statement.
“The public expects no less than such display of courage in the performance of judicial duty from our judges,” he added.
The VACC was the first among others that filed the drug cases against the female senator. Jimenez added that they have a “very strong case,” and was optimistic that the cases filed will progress after the courts found a “probable cause to indict De Lima.”
“We hope that she will be detained in a regular jail similar to other suspects charged of illegal drug trading who have committed heinous crime,” Jimenez said.
He pointed out that no one is above the law, and there is no provision that provides a special facility for the senator separating from an ordinary inmate, so there should be no VIP treatment.
“Now, the senator can have a firsthand look of the situation of the jails she used to lord over as Justice Secretary,” he added.
The Department Justice last week filed drug charges against Senator De Lima at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court in connection with the senator’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside Bilibid when she was still Justice Secretary.
READ: DOJ files drug raps against De Lima
A day after the filing of charges, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa offered PNP’s custodial center to senator Leila De Lima in case the courts order her arrest.
Among the detainees at the PNP custodial center are former senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla for plunder charges over their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
READ: Bato: De Lima welcome to stay at PNP custodial center
An emotional De Lima on Thursday said she wants to spend the night with her family first and promised to return to the Senate to await the arresting team on Friday. JE
READ: De Lima will return to Senate to wait for arresting team