Aguirre: Unlike De Lima, I can refute accusations against me

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Saturday slammed detained Senator Leila de Lima for filing criminal and administrative complaints against him and vowed to disprove the lawmaker's accusations.

"She is just trying to be relevant. Unlike her who has consistently anchored her defense on bare denials and nothing more, we can refute her accusations with well established proof of actions taken," Aguirre said in a statement.

"And unlike her, who has consistenty refused to recognize the jurisdiction of our courts over her in the drug cases she is currently facing, I will face her accusations against me in any forum," he added.

The Justice chief also said he would not challenge the laws as he is confident that he has not done anything wrong.

In a 27-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, De Lima on Thursday charged Aguirre with negligence in prosecution and toleration of criminal offenses, grave coercion, use of falsified documents, offering false testimony, usurpation of legislative powers, and graft.

Aguirre is also facing administrative complaints of dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, oppression, inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of official duties, and conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The case stemmed from Aguirre's alleged failure to investigate and prosecute more than 7,000 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings in the government's war on drugs. — MDM, GMA News