Gordon to Aguirre: Explain dismissal of Espinosa, Lim case

Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II must explain why the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed the case of confessed drug “distributor” Kerwin Espinosa, Senator Richard Gordon said Tuesday.

“Kung ‘yang kaso na yan ay tungkol sa drugs, dapat magpaliwanag si Vit Aguirre,” said Gordon, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, who investigated the drug case of Espinosa.

“Lahat inaabswelto niya. Mukhang dapat magpalit tayo ng abogado,” he added.

Cleared with Espinosa were alleged drug lord Peter Lim and 20 others.

Gordon said other senators were also dismayed by the move of the DOJ to clear the drug trafficking case filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last year.

“Lahat kami sa Senado downhearted dahil paano maaabswelto yun eh inamin na nga,” he said.

During a Senate hearing on Nov. 23, 2016, Espinosa confessed to “distributing” drugs in the Eastern Visayan Region and even named his alleged suppliers, who included Lim.

Espinosa, however, pleaded innocent to drug charges during his arraignment before Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 26. /cbb

READ: Kerwin Espinosa pleads not guilty / DOJ clears suspected drug lord