Lawmakers call urge Aguirre to quit, questioning his integrity

Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre II INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC

President Rodrigo Duterte should review not only the dismissal of charges against high-profile drug lords by state prosecutors but also the fitness of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to remain in the Cabinet, according to the House minority bloc.

Another group of lawmakers called for a more drastic action—his head must roll.

The House minority bloc on Wednesday expressed alarm at the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to drop drug charges against Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Lim and 20 others for insufficient evidence, pinning the blame on Aguirre.

At a news conference, members of the bloc led by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez pointedly asked Mr. Duterte to “review the personalities of his official family and determine their fitness to hold their positions.”

Questions about integrity

The bloc also reminded Aguirre that he should not allow his position to be tainted by questions about his integrity.

“In matters falling under his jurisdiction, generally, his actions and decisions are deemed those of the President’s. Just two years into his term, and already, the integrity of his office and attached agencies are under question,” the lawmakers said.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, a member of the Makabayan bloc, said government steps to review its decision to exonerate Espinosa and Lim would prove to be a sham if Mr. Duterte would not sack Aguirre.

‘Aguirre should be fired’

“If they are serious and not only washing their hands, then they should fire the head of the DOJ who is responsible for this issue,” Tinio said in a news conference.

Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus, speaking at the same forum, said Aguirre should spare his superiors trouble by quitting his post.

In Tacloban City, however, Aguirre said he still enjoyed the confidence of Mr. Duterte.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. It was just bloated out of proportion. I didn’t know about the resolution [exonerating high-profile drug dealers),” he said in a news conference on Wednesday.