De Lima says President told her to ‘do whatever is appropriate’

MANILA, Philippines – Do “whatever is appropriate” was President Benigno Aquino III’s order to the Department of Justice on his predecessor’s request to seek medical treatment abroad, Secretary Leila de Lima herself told reporters Thursday.

De Lima issued the statement when asked whether the President had given direct orders for her to stop former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from travelling abroad.

“Of course I inform him [Aquino] of the things I do because I am his alter ego especially in important cases like this,” said De Lima who was interviewed at the Senate.

“His instruction is always do whatever is appropriate,” she said.

She immediately dismissed as “premature” any impeachment bid against the President by Arroyo allies at the House of Representative.

“Huwag na po sana nating pag usapan yan [Let’s not talk about that]. It’s too premature,” de Lima added.

De Lima maintained she would not recognize the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the government’s travel ban against Arroyo pending its decision on a motion for reconsideration she filed in court.

The very purpose of a TRO, she explained, was to prevent something from becoming moot.

“Para sa amin, moot and academic kung paaalisin na sila kaya kini-question namin yung pinaka propriety ng TRO [As far as we’re concerned, it would be moot and academic if we were to let them go that’s why we were questioning the propriety of the TRO],” said the De Lima.

“That’s why my position is while our motion for reconsideration on that TRO is pending, we cannot respect the TRO. If the TRO is not implemented yet, the WLO [watch list order] is there,” De Lima said.

And De Lima said she was ready to fight the contempt case that was filed against her by the Arroyo camp in court this Thursday.

“I will face that charge, I will respond to that in proper time,” she said.

“I’m sure the Supreme Court would also give me due process. I would be asked to respond, that’s the usual process. I think they will ask me to show cause why I should not be cited for contempt. I’m prepared to answer that in due time,” she said.