Clavano: DoJ hands off on De Lima’s Ombudsman case
During the 2016 congressional investigations, the testimonies of the felons led to the filing of the illegal drug cases against De Lima.
Photograph Courtesy of MicoClavano/IG
Daily TribuneDuring the 2016 congressional investigations, the testimonies of the felons led to the filing of the illegal drug cases against De Lima.
Photograph Courtesy of MicoClavano/IG
The Department of Justice said it is up to the Office of the Ombudsman to resolve the complaints lodged by former senator Leila M. de Lima against two former justice secretaries.
DoJ Assistant Secretary and spokesman Atty. Mico Clavano said that while "De Lima may have her claims, but on the other side, the former justice secretaries also have their stance on the issue."
"There are always two sides to the same coin," Clavano said. We'll just have to leave it to the proper forum."
The Court of Appeals recently remanded to the Office of the Ombudsman the complaint of De Lima, which it dismissed in 2019.
Herself a former justice secretary, De Lima alleged in her complaint that former DoJ chiefs Vitaliano Aguirre and Menardo Guevarra should be penalized for allowing felons to testify against her.
As DoJ secretary, De Lima allegedly used her power to allow drug lords incarcerated in the New Bilibid Prison to manage their drug syndicates behind bars, in exchange for millions of pesos in bribes.
Two of three drug charges against De Lima had been dismissed by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, even as she was allowed last month to post bail in the remaining complaint.
De Lima averred that Aguirre and Guevarra should be held criminally liable for dereliction of duty and graft, and also administratively for grave misconduct and gross negligence.
She said the DoJ erred in admitting the felons into the government's witness protection program.
In remanding the case back to the Ombudsman, the CA noted that the agency dismissed the complaints of De Lima without requiring the two respondents to answer the charges against them.
The OMB ruled that Aguirre and Guevarra enjoyed the presumption of regularity in performance of their official duties.
The CA decision was lauded by De Lima and said she will pursue her complaints before the OMB and the DoJ.
"We have a working justice system. If she does things that are well within her rights, who are we to stop her?" Clavano said.
During the 2016 congressional investigations, the testimonies of the felons led to the filing of the illegal drug cases against De Lima.