De Lima denies staying at Lewis’ US home, says Aguirre is ‘number one liar’

Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday denied staying at the house of Loida Nicolas-Lewis, the Filipino-American philanthropist who was tagged in the supposed plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. 

“I went to the US to receive that award from the foreign policy. Yung accommodation ko was care of the organizers,” De Lima told reporters in an interview. 

“Napaka-number one sinungaling talaga ‘yung Secretary of Justice na ‘yan. Dami na niyang kasinungalingan na sinasabi,” she added. 

De Lima was referring to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who was earlier quoted as saying that De Lima stayed in Lewis’ home during her visit to the United States last year. 

In December 2016, De Lima flew to Washington D.C. to be recognized as one of the leading global thinkers. 

Lewis was tagged in the so-called “LeniLeaks,” supposed “leaked emails” from a Yahoo! group that called themselves Global Filipino Diaspora Council.  The group was supposedly composed of supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo. 

Lewis, a known supporter of Robredo, denied that there was a conspiracy to unseat the President. 

In her statement, she said: "First: No plot to oust Duterte. Resign Duterte Movement is based on President Duterte's own words that he would resign if drugs are still rampant six month(s) after his inauguration."

“Dissent is NOT equivalent to a plot or conspiracy,” Lewis added. 

"In a democracy, opinions of varying shades, either praise or criticism, are a staple ingredient of a vibrant democracy," she said. "Since when has criticism become an element of sedition?"

Robredo has also denied any part in the supposed anti-Duterte plot. — RSJ, GMA News