MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s staunch critics in the Senate are all praises for her decision to stop former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from seeking medical treatment abroad.
“I commend Secretary de Lima for standing up to the pressure. I only wish the ban would be permanent,” Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV said in a text message on Wednesday.
Trillanes, who once asked for De Lima’s resignation for her alleged failure to perform her job, said the travel ban was consistent with President Benigno Aquino III’s policy to hold corrupt officials accountable for their actions.
While he questioned the legality of the travel ban, Senator Panfilo Lacson shared de Lima’s apprehensions in denying Arroyo’s request.
“Magulo nga, tama ang punto ni Sec. de Lima. Napaka-ambivalent, napakagulo ng kanyang dahilan na sinasaad pati mga lugar na pupuntahan,” Lacson said over radio, pointing out that Arroyo’s destinations have no extradition treaty with the Philippines.
Lacson though questioned de Lima’s move when she sought President Aquino’s approval on the issue, saying she should have spared the President from the controversy.
In the first place, the senator said, placing Arroyo under the government’s watchlist order was based on a circular order of the Department of Justice and not from the office of the President.
“Bakit pa kailangang ituro ang Pangulo? Maski sa ibang bansa bigyan mo ng kaunting protection ang Presidente. Huwag mo ihalo sa ganitong klaseng controversy. Akuin mo ang sariling order o decision,” said Lacson.
Both Trillanes and Lacson are known staunch critics of Arroyo and De Lima.