Sotto asks PNP to allow De Lima to hold committee hearings while in detention

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to allow Senator Leila De Lima to conduct hearings while in police detention on drug-related charges.

Sotto made the request through a letter dated July 2 to PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, a copy of which was released to the media only on Friday.

In his letter, Sotto urged Albayalde to allow De Lima, chairperson of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, to conduct hearings inside the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City on bills referred to her committee.

“As the Senate President, I am giving Senator De Lima full authority to discharge her duties as chair of the committee, particularly to conduct and personally preside over its hearings—similar to what had been done by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV during his detention,” Sotto said.

“This request is being made so as the relevant measures that are currently pending in the committee will be given opportunity to be heard and be deliberated on by the Philippine Senate, consistent with Section 24 of the Senate Rules,” he added.

Sotto assured Albayalde that during the conduct of the hearings the Senate contingent will abide by the PNP’s internal rules and regulations and arrangements will be made prior to the conduct of the hearing.

Sotto later explained that De Lima did not ask for such arrangement.

“She did not ask for it. It was part of our mutual concern to facilitate the House bills referred to her new committee,” Sotto told reporters, adding that he has yet to receive a reply from Albayalde.

One of De Lima’s allies, Senator Francis Pangilinan, welcomed Sotto’s initiative.

“Our gratitude and support are with Senate President Vicente Sotto III for formally seeking the participation of Senator Leila de Lima in hearings lodged before her committee,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“It is right and just for Sen. De Lima to be allowed to perform her duties as a member of the legislature. Despite her unjust incarceration, Sen. De Lima has expressed her desire to carry out her functions as a lawmaker and help craft laws beneficial to the people,” he added, likewise expressing hope that Albayalde will act positively on the request.

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The Senate leader’s letter came four days after he visited De Lima on June 28 to check on her condition, discuss the bills she is pushing, and how she can attend hearings.

De Lima has been detained since February last year on allegations she allowed the illegal drug trade to proliferate inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice secretary in exchange for funds for her senatorial campaign in 2016.

She has repeatedly denied the accusation and accused the Duterte administration of political persecution.

De Lima is a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. — RSJ, GMA News