Aguirre to Hontiveros: Prove photo of texts was inadvertently taken

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday challenged Senator Risa Hontiveros to prove that the photo showing his text messages that she disclosed to the public was inadvertently taken.

"Kaya yung ginawa ni Senator Hontiveros apat ang violation diyan. Unang una, I believe hindi ako naniniwala na inadvertent lang 'yon. Kung 'yan ay inadvertent, hinahamon ko siya patunayan ng source niya, patunayan ng photographer niya na sa katunayan ay aksidente lamang," Aguirre told reporters on the sidelines of the 3rd International Dialogue on Human Trafficking held at Makati City.

"But makikita mo 'yan, 'pag nilabas yung tape na 'yan, makikita mo kung 'yan ay aksidente lamang. Pero I'm sure 'pag nilabas 'yan, sigurado kung ilan, baka isang oras nang naka-focus 'yung camera na 'yan. Kaya 'yan hindi ay inadvertent," he added.

In her privilege speech on Monday, Hontiveros said that she discovered, through a photo showing text messages between Aguirre and former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto "Jing" Paras, an alleged plan to expedite cases against her.

She said that the photo was taken by a member of the press during the Senate hearing on the death of 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos.

Hontiveros insisted that releasing the photo was not an invasion of privacy as it was "accidentally" taken.

Aguirre has said he will file an ethics complaint against Hontiveros next week, arguing that Hontiveros violated the Bill of Rights on privacy of communications and Republic Act 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Act.

The Cabinet official is also readying a civil complaint for alleged violation of his constitutional right to privacy of communication and a criminal complaint for violation of RA 4200 against Hontiveros. — BM, GMA News