Hontiveros tells Aguirre to inhibit self from Kian slay probe

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday called on Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to inhibit himself from any investigation on the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos.

“Pagkatapos ng mga one-sided statement niya kahapon, ang Justice Secretary ay nawalan na ng kredibilidad para dinggin ang kaso,” Hontiveros said at a press conference, referring to Aguirre’s remarks during the Senate public order committee hearing Thursday, wherein he referred to Kian’s death as an isolated case.

Hontiveros said the legal counsel of the three witnesses she earlier took custody of is now studying the possible filing of a case against Aguirre to “compel” the Cabinet official from taking part in the investigation.

Hontiveros said she will not let “areglo king” Aguirre to undermine the credibility of the witnesses, weaken the case against those involved in the killing, and limit the level of accountability to a few.

“Mukhang ang fake news king ng Padre Faura ay areglo king na rin. Hindi natin papayagan na aregluhin niya ang kaso na ito tulad ng ginawa sa kasong pamamaslang kay Albuera Mayor Espinosa,” the senator said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier downgraded the murder charges filed against the cops involved in the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

Hontiveros said she supports the suggestion of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to let the Ombudsman probe Kian’s death.

Hontiveros also told Aguirre to cease from offering to bring the three witnesses under the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

The witnesses, two of whom are minors, are under the protective custody of the Senate public order committee chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

“This is a crucial step in ensuring that the witnesses, particularly the minors, get the best possible witness care to enable them to give evidence in the best way possible in terms of the quality of their testimonies while reducing trauma and stress to them,” Hontiveros said.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros showed to the media the written consent of the mother of one of the minor witnesses, allowing her child to be under Hontiveros’ care.

An executive session was supposed to be held by the Senate committee Thursday night to hear the testimonies of the witnesses. Lacson, however, decided that the mother, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), should first issue an authorization letter.

The mother said she was just confused and afraid for the safety of her child when she accused Hontiveros of not seeking her permission to taker her child.

“Parang nagkaroon kami ng kaguluhan sa pagintindi sa mga sitwasyon...Kinausap ko na yung anak ko kahapon at sa pag-u-usap namin, mas gusto niya doon kay Senator Hontiveros,” she said.

The Senate committee will conduct its second hearing on Kian’s death Tuesday next week. — RSJ, GMA News