IPU bid to observe De Lima trial ‘classic example of bullying’

The Inter-Parliamentary Union's recommendation to send an observer to monitor and report on the case of Senator Leila De Lima is a "classic example of bullying," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Chief Martin Andanar.

In a statement on Saturday, Andanar said the Philippines "should stand up to this kind of meddling in our domestic affairs."

His made the remark after the IPU, an international organization of lawmakers, said in a statement that "there is no evidence to justify the criminal cases" against De Lima, and that they should send an observer to the De Lima trial if the cases against her would proceed.

Moreover, Andanar said that the IPU's intent is not just to observe the trial, as the IPU claimed, but "to meddle in our democratic as well as judicial processes."

Likewise, Andanar disputed the IPU's portrayal of the Philippines as a "lawless nation."

"Over and over, pronouncements from the IPU portray the Philippines as a lawless nation when there is abundant evidence to the contrary."

Philippines is a member parliament of the IPU.

Last April, the IPU called for a fact-finding mission to the Philippines after it expressed concern over De Lima's situation. In May, members of the organization's human rights committee arrived in the country to visit her.

De Lima is being detained at Camp Crame, Quezon City, for alleged complicity in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison, the proceeds of which she was accused of using for her senatorial campaign.

Her petition seeking to nullify her arrest over one of those cases has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Other foreign organizations have reportedly shown their support for the embattled lawmaker.

De Lima's office in May announced at least five organizations, including:

• the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD), United Kingdom;
• Asia Catalyst, New York, USA;
• the Coalition of Asia Pacific Regional Networks on HIV/AIDS, Thailand;
• Asian Network of People Who Use Drugs (ANPUD), Thailand; and
• International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), United Kingdom.

In July, however, Liberal International president Juli Monives was barred by police from visiting De Lima. In September, Filipino lawmakers and ASEAN parliamentarians were also restricted from seeing the senator. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/LBG, GMA News