Lito Lapid: I did not violate any law

Senator Lito Lapid. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid on Friday insisted he was innocent of the graft charges filed against him in connection with the purchase of alleged overpriced fertilizers when he was still governor of Pampanga, saying he has not violated any law.

“Ayon sa aking mga abogado, sinagot na namin yung reklamo kung saan hinihingi rin naming tingnang mabuti ng Ombudsman yung kaso, lalo na yung aming depensa na magpapatunay na wala akong nilabag na batas kaugnay ng transaksyong sinasabi nila,” Lapid said in a statement on Friday.

(According to my lawyers, we already answered the complaint where we asked the Ombudsman to look into the case thoroughly, especially our defense that will prove that I have not violated any law involving the alleged transaction.)

The senator issued the statement following reports that the Office of the Ombudsman has approved the filing of cases against him.

But Lapid said he has yet to receive information on the final resolution of the case before the Ombusdman.

And as far as he knows, he said, the case was still with the Office of the Ombudsman “undergoing the required judicious and fair review and study.”

“Hiling ko sanang wag naman nating pangunahan ang mga bagay bagkus asahan natin na masusing titingnan ng mga kinauukulan sa Ombudsman ang bawat panig upang sila’y makapaglabas ng resolusyon na tunay na naaayon sa batas,” he said.

Lapid expressed confidence that the Office of the Ombudsman would decide on the case “guided by existing laws and jurisprudence.”

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