The arrest of Sen. Leila M. de Lima is an indication of democracy at work in the country, according to chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo.
Shortly after De Lima was placed under police custody, Panelo has hailed the triumph of the rule of law that is applied to all regardless of their power or influence in society.
“The arrest of Sen. De Lima shows that the law is enforced regardless of who is the subject of a warrant of arrest whether the person is holding a high position in the government or has an ordinary status in society,” Panelo said.
“The majesty of the law shines triumphantly when a senator of a Republic is arrested and detained on account of a criminal charge. Such is the working of a democracy,” he added.
Authorities yesterday served the arrest warrant against De Lima in connection with her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. The former Justice Secretary allegedly took payoffs from drug lords to fund her senatorial campaign last year. De Lima has denied the allegations.
Earlier, Panelo claimed that karma has struck De Lima, who previously denied due process to former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo when she served as Justice Secretary. “The law of karma has finally caught up with the senator in terms of being arrested and detained,” he said. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)