Embattled Senator Leila de Lima yesterday welcomed the drug charges formally filed against her saying it is about time her detractors accuse her before the proper courts.
De Lima made the statement following the Violence Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) filing of drug trafficking case against her and seven other personalities allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
“This is most welcome. Instead of stoning me in a House inquiry, they should start filing cases in the proper venue,” De Lima said in a statement.
But she said the lawyers of the VACC and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who serves as inmate Herbert Colanggo’s legal counsel, should know that cases against her for acts done while she was still the Justice secretary must be filed with the Ombudsman and not the DoJ.
“Although the DoJ may initially take cognizance, this case against me would eventually only be filed by the DoJ with the Ombudsman for another round of fact-finding investigation,” De Lima stressed.
And if they want a speedy trial against her, De Lima said the cases should have been filed with the Ombudsman. (Hannah Torregoza)
