Senator Leila de Lima. SCREENGRAB FROM INQUIRER VIDEO/NOY MORCOSO

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned Senator Leila De Lima to respond to the criminal complaints filed against her for her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the subpoena has been delivered Monday to the senator and two of her staff.

“You are hereby warned that failure on your part to comply with the subpoena shall be considered as a waiver of your right to be furnished copies of the complaint, supporting affidavits and other documents as well as to examine all other evidence submitted by the complainant,” the subpoena stated.

Aside from the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), De Lima is also facing graft and criminal charges filed by NBP inmate Jaybee Sebastian.

READ: NBI OKs criminal raps vs De Lima, 17 others

Sebastian filed the case through his wife Roxanne against De Lima, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chair Rainier G. Cruz and former New Bilibid Prison Superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf Jr.

They were charged with violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; and the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

Last month, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) filed cases against De Lima for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) by supposedly conspiring with several other officials in the previous administration and high-profile NBP inmates in the drug trade during her stint as DOJ secretary.

This was followed by a similar complaint filed by former NBI deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala against De Lima and former BuCor acting director Rafael Ragos for violation of RA 9165.

A panel has been created to conduct the preliminary investigation. Members of the panel are Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong as chairman of the panel to investigate the said cases and conduct preliminary hearings with Senior Assistant City Prosecutors Alexander Ramos, Leila Llanes, Evangeline Viudez-Canobas and Assistant State Prosecutor Editha Fernandez as members. RAM

READ: DOJ rushes De Lima probe

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