Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II was peeved at Vice President Leni Robredo, who recently expressed her dismay on the Department of Justice (DOJ).
At the sidelines of the Istorya ng Pag-asa gallery launch in Cebu City, Robredo told reporters that recent events were making her lose confidence in the DOJ. She specifically mentioned the case of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, whom Aguirre claimed to have received money from a drug lord.
According to Robredo, the DOJ should be a tool to dispense justice; and that Aguirre should not use the agency as a tool for political vendetta.
“What political vendetta is she talking about? Is it her position that we should not pursue any criminal prosecution for violation of the comprehensive drugs law because the culprit belongs to the opposition,” Aguirre asked.
“This is the same position they have respecting the De Lima cases. That no case should be filed against Osmeña because he is anti-Duterte advocate,” Aguirre also said.
Aguirre was referring to Senator Leila De Lima, a critic of President Rodrigo Duterte who is currently detained for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The DOJ chief earlier said they have a witness, now under the Witness Protection Program (WPP), who said that Osmeña received P2 million from a drug lord in 2013, and another P5 million in 2016.
READ: DOJ eyes drug case vs Cebu City Mayor Osmeña – Aguirre
Osmeña, however, denied the allegation. He even noted that the first two drug lords killed under the administration of Mr. Duterte were under his watch.
READ: Osmeña on Aguirre accusation: I never got a cent from any drug lord
/kga