Senate junks ethics complaints vs. De Lima

The Senate ethics committee on Tuesday dismissed the three complaints filed by House leaders against detained Senator Leila de Lima.

The dismissal of the three complaints "without prejudice to refiling" was based on a motion by Senator Panfilo Lacson, which was approved by Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III.

Dismissal without prejudice to refiling means the decision is not final.

“We can act on it right here, right now. The rules are clear, ang complaint ay wala namang relasyon sa kanyang panunungkulan bilang senator at wala siyang na-violate na Senate rules,” said Lacson during the committee meeting.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon supported the motion, saying the Senate has no jurisdiction over the complaint.

“She did not violate the Senate rules and it is not related to De Lima’s official function. We moved for the dismissal of the case without prejudice to reviving the case in the future," he said.

In December 2016, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, and House Committee on Justice chairman and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali filed the complaint against De Lima whom they claimed “clearly interfered” in the House inquiry into the alleged illegal trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

“This is a clear case of contempt of the power and authority vested in the House of Representatives,” the complainants said.

The complained was based on De Lima's alleged attempt to prevent her former driver and lover Ronnie Dayan from attending a congressional probe.

Dayan earlier told the House justice committee that De Lima advised him to snub the invitation of the panel in relation to its investigation on the prison drug trade.

The panel also dismissed the complaint filed by lawyer Abelardo de Jesus. The said complaint was based on President Rodrigo Duterte’s allegations that De Lima was involved in drug operations during her term as Justice Secretary.

The panel said charges with the same accusations have been filed against De Lima before criminal courts.

The senators agreed that if the courts hand a decision against De Lima, the complainants can re-file their complaint before the ethics committee. —ALG, GMA News