Koko chides De Lima for resorting to ‘political remedy’ on drug case

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III FILE PHOTO

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Tuesday chided Senator Leila de Lima for “insisting on political remedies” like appealing her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Pimentel said: “De Lima’s cases are already before the courts. They are outside of the political arena already. Which should be good for her. Why is she insisting on political remedies like appeals to the IPU and other political organizations?”

“She should be glad that the battle is now judicial/legal rather than political. Her lawyers should start working quadruple time! In the courts! Not in the political sphere,” he added.

The Senate President issued the statement after De Lima reacted to his criticisms against the IPU, whom he said “does not understand” the Philippine Constitution.

READ: Pimentel hits int’l legislators group: You don’t understand our Constitution

Pimentel said this after the IPU issued a resolution urging the Philippine Senate to take steps in ensuring that detained De Lima fulfill her duties as a duly-elected lawmaker by letting her participate in Senate deliberations.

READ: Philippine Senate urged, ‘act in solidarity’ with De Lima

De Lima said it was “extremely condescending” for Pimentel to call the IPU ignorant of the Philippines’ Constitution and legal system.

She said Pimentel and Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo were the ones who were “ignorant” of the IPU investigation process on cases of persecution of legislators by their own governments.

READ: De Lima hits Koko’s ‘condescending’ remark on IPU ‘not understanding’ PH law

De Lima has been locked up in jail since February 2017 for drug-related charges, which she has repeatedly denied. She said these charges were trumped-up and politically motivated. /jpv