Press Release
February 23, 2017

STATEMENT OF LIBERAL PARTY SENATORS ON PENDING ARREST OF SEN. DE LIMA

The Liberal Party reiterates that it condemns the political persecution of brave administration critic Sen. Leila De Lima.

We repeat: The Sandiganbayan, not the RTC, has jurisdiction over the case as the alleged wrongdoings were supposedly committed when she was Justice Secretary.

Ang balita namin, kararating lang ng Macau nitong judge. Ang alam namin makapal ang motion to quash na finile sa kanyang korte. Basahin naman niya ang motion. The haste is deplorable.

We fear for Sen. Leila's life and security given what happened to Albuera Mayor Espinosa and Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, who were both killed inside police-controlled facilities. This arrest is purely political vendetta and has no place in justice system that upholds the rule of law. This is condemnable.

We reiterate that an arrest based on trumped-up charges is illegal.

We assert that the Ombudsman has primary jurisdiction over cases against public officers cognizable by the Sandiganbayan. Violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which is the DOJ's case against Sen. De Lima, falls under "other offenses committed by public officials" listed in the Sandiganbayan Law.

We maintain that if this warrant of arrest is served, it would be a clear violation of legal proceedings and is therefore a violation of her Constitutional right to due process.

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