Members of the senate minority support Senator Risa Hontiveros’ call on the resignation of Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

Senator Hontiveros released on Monday several photos of Aguirre’s exchange of text messages with the member of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Jacinto “Jing” Paras, which she accused of plotting case against her while a senate hearing is ongoing.

Senators Franklin Drilon, Leila de Lima, Bam Aquino, Francis Pangilinan and Antonio Trillanes IV have recalled their protest on DOJ secretary’s resignation.

“We reiterate our call for Vitaliano Aguirre to resign from his post as Secretary of Justice,” the minority senators said.

“Now, he has been caught red-handed plotting against a sitting Senator during a hearing where he is supposed to be paying his utmost attention,” senators said in a statement.

Earlier, Aguirre also received collective ethics complaint on spreading false information against politicians, the complaint was filed by the Millennial Against Dictators, the youth group accused the Justice Secretary of violating the same complaint which is the Republic Act 6713 the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Official and Employees.

“His actions signify a lack of competence for a man who holds the highest office on justice. His actions clearly violate the norms of conduct for public officials under the law,” the minority senators said.

Hontiveros on Aguirre’s “unethical conduct”

The dismayed Senator Hontiveros called for the resignation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre saying that the justice secretary violated the Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

All these lead me to the conclusion that there is no other respectable option but to call on the Justice Secretary to resign,” this was the conclusion of Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros during her privilege speech at the senate on Monday.

“Secretary Aguirre undermines our justice system, and his continued stay in office is a vulgar insult to the Filipino people and our efforts for a more just society,” Senator Hontiveros stressed.

In her privilege speech, Hontiveros presented enlarged digital photos of Justice Secretary exchanging text messages with a “Cong. Jing”, the senator identified that it was the Former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto “Jing” Paras, who is a member of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

In the text message, “Naturuan na ni Hontiveros ang testigo [Hontiveros already coached the witness], her questions are leading questions,” Cong. Jing’s text message read.

“Very obvious, kaya nga expedite natin ang cases niyo vs her [Very obvious, let’s expedite your cases against her],” Aguirred replied.

Hontiveros said that anonymous source caught Aguirre texting during the senate hearing on the killing of the 17-year-old student Kian Lloyd Delos Santos. “The photographer was inadvertently able to capture the text message exchange on the screen of the phone of the DOJ Secretary.” Hontiveros said.

The lady senator said that she consulted with several photography experts, who all confirmed the authenticity of the digital photo. </s> This was the reaction of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre on Wednesday regarding the minority senators’ statement of support to Senator Risa Hontiveros’ call for his resignation.

Aguirre’s reaction came after the opposition senators issued on Tuesday morning a statement joining Hontiveros in a clamor for the Justice secretary’s resignation but later in the day took it back after Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan posted a message on social media citing miscommunication.

In the afternoon of the same day, the senators’ statement of support was made official again.

“Nagtataka nga ko, hindi malaman ng minority bloc na ito kung anong gagawin. Nung umaga sabi nila, ‘we go with Senator Hontiveros’ in asking DOJ (Department of Justice) secretary to resign,” Aguirre said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer.

“Tapos nung tanghali, winithdraw nila yan. Sabi nila there is a matter of miscommunication dun sa support the call to resign.”

“Tapos nag-meeting yang mga opposition senators, after mag-meeting nila nakita siguro nila na hindi maganda yung aming pag-withdraw ng call to resign so binalik na naman nila ng 4:00 (p.m.),” he added.

On Tuesday, the minority senators released a statement supporting Hontiveros’ call for Aguirre’s resignation after the secretary was caught exchanging text messages with a certain “Cong. Jing” asking to “expedite the filing of cases” against the senator.

Aside from Hontiveros, the five other minority members in the Senate are Franklin Drilon, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Benigno Paulo “Bam” Aquino IV, and Leila De Lima, all part of the Liberal Party (LP); and Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.

The five later recalled their statement because of an “internal miscommunication” and then re-issued the statement afterwards.

“We reiterate our call for Vitaliano Aguirre to resign from his post as Secretary of Justice. This recent development once more highlights his unethical actions as a public official,” the minority senators said in a statement.

The justice secretary, meanwhile, maintained his decision not to resign as long as President Rodrigo Duterte has “trust and confidence” in him.

“Pero (but) as long as the President has trust and confidence in me, I will not resign,” he added. /jpv

READ: Hontiveros seeks Aguirre’s resignation over plot against her </s> Minority senators on Tuesday joined Senator Risa Hontiveros’ call for Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to resign after he was caught exchanging text messages with a certain “Cong. Jing” asking to expedite the filing of cases against the lady senator.

READ: Hontiveros seeks Aguirre’s resignation over plot against her

“We reiterate our call for Vitaliano Aguirre to resign from his post as Secretary of Justice. This recent development once more highlights his unethical actions as a public official,” the minority senators said in a statement.

Aside from Hontiveros, the Senate minority bloc includes Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Benigno Paulo “Bam” Aquino IV, and Leila De Lima, all part of the Liberal Party (LP); and Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.

In August, the senators had also demanded Aguirre to resign after he accused the “dilawan” or members of the once ruling party of plotting the Marawi siege.

“Now, he has been caught red-handed plotting against a sitting Senator during a hearing where he is supposed to be paying his utmost attention,” they said.

In a privilege speech on Monday, Hontiveros showed photos of Aguirre texting, inadvertently taken by photographers, during the Senate hearing last Sept. 5 on the spate of drug killings.

Zooming on the photos will show Aguirre’s exchange of text messages with certain “Cong. Jing.” Cong. Jing’s message read: “Naturuan na ni Hontiveros ang testigo. Her questions are leading questions.”

The “Cong. Jing” Aguirre was texting, according to Hontiveros, could be Former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto “Jing” Paras, who is a member of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

The senators said Aguirre’s actions “signify a lack of competence for a man who holds the highest office on justice” and “clearly violate the norms of conduct for public officials under the law.”

“The Filipinos deserve better than a Cabinet official who resorts to spreading lies, sowing intrigue and to name-calling. We need a Secretary of Justice who will uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, and justice. Secretary Aguirre clearly does not fulfill these requirements,” they said. JPV </s> SENATOR Leila De Lima is preparing for the worst following the recent announcement of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd that the Department of Justice (DoJ) may issue a resolution against her very soon.

De Lima said she has long been expecting the release of the resolution and her possible arrest in connection with the cases filed against her. The senator is facing five drug trafficking complaints filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly receiving payoffs from high profile drug convicts inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP).

The senator is also facing complaints for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act because of her alleged links to Eastern Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

“I really don’t know when the arrest warrant will be issued. I’m just saying that Secretary Aguirre has confirmed that they will issue the resolution against me and that I better brace myself,” she added.

But the senator said Aguirre should also prepare to answer the complaints that she will be filing against him.

 De Lima mentioned the issue regarding the confidential memorandum about the privileges extended to high-profile convicts detained at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) custodial center in Camp Aguinaldo.

The convicts, who testified against De Lima during the inquiry held by the House committee on justice on the proliferation of illegal drugs at the NBP last year were reportedly allowed to use cell phones and other gadgets while in detention.

“These are definitely illegal acts that a secretary of justice should not be doing,” she said. Senate President pro-tempore Franklin Drilon said that should an arrest warrant be issued against De Lima, those tasked to carry out the order should follow the law.

“By tradition we will oppose service of the warrant of arrest inside the session hall. The sanctity of the session hall must be respected,” Drilon noted. </s> Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Senator Leila de Lima is ready to face the charges and go to jail in case the Justice Department releases on Monday its resolution on cases of drug trafficking filed against her.

"I've been preparing for a worst case scenario kasi katuparan lang po 'yan ng matagal nang inuutos ng Pangulo. Di ba matagal na niyang sinasabi that he wants me locked up in jail," she said on Monday, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte. [Translation: I've been preparing for a worst case scenario because it's long been ordered by the President. Hasn't he said for the longest time that he wants me locked up in jail?]

Duterte has accused De Lima of corruption during her term as Justice Secretary under former President Benigno Aquino III.

Consolidated cases of drug trafficking were filed against De Lima by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), former National Bureau of Investigation deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, the National Bureau of Investigation, and convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian.

Another case filed against De Lima is in connection with Eastern Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa's drug operations.

The cases stemmed from allegations that De Lima abetted the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison and received huge payouts from convicted drug lords for them to continue their trade and to fund her senatorial campaign.

Related: Self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa: I gave ₱8M to De Lima's campaign; senator denies allegation

Legal case vs. Aguirre for "perks" given to inmates

De Lima said her legal team is firming up possible cases that she will file against Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, including subornation of perjury and tampering with witnesses. Subornation of perjury refers to inducing another person to lie while under oath.

She said these are illegal acts as a Justice Secretary should recuse themselves from getting involved with witnesses. She added Aguirre is unfit for his position because he is not behaving judiciously.

It was De Lima who divulged last week a memorandum dated December 15, 2016 that showed Aguirre was aware of the "lavish lifestyles" and special privileges allowed to high-profile inmates such as the use of cell phones, smart television sets, air conditioning units, and Internet.

"Hindi naman ho nila dine-deny yung confidential memo na yan. Kung sinasabi nila na hindi totoo yung nakalagay dun, bakit in the first place finorward ni BuCor Director General Delos Santos iyung confidential memo na yan to the Secretary of Justice, Secretary Aguirre," De Lima said.

[Translation: They aren't denying that confidential memo. If they claim that the contents (of the memo) are false, why did the BuCor director general De Los Santos forward the confidential memo to the Secretary of Justice."]

Last Friday, Aguirre denied receiving such a memorandum.

Related: Confidential memo claims Aguirre knew high-profile inmates' 'lavish' lifestyle

The lady senator also said she has information that some Bureau of Corrections officers are being pressured to change the contents of the memo.

"Ang balita ko nga pinepressure nila yung legal officer ng BuCor para baguhin ang laman ng confidential memo na yan," she said. [Translation: I heard that they are pressuring the legal officer of the BuCor to revise the contents of that confidential memo.] </s> In an unusual break from their word war, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II agrees with Senator Leila de Lima's views at a Senate inquiry

Senator Leila de Lima might just be counting down the days until her supposed impending arrest but Senator Panfilo Lacson made a light moment out of it at a Senate inquiry days after drug charges were filed against the former justice chief.

During the 2nd hearing into the murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, Lacson informed De Lima, who was still questioning the resource person, that he would have to suspend the hearing soon to attend another committee hearing.

“But you can consume the remaining time because you have very good points that you’re pursuing," he said, before ribbing De Lima. "Bilin ko lang (My only advice is), don’t get jailed. We’ll miss you.”

De Lima replied with a hearty laugh and said, “Thank you.”

Like De Lima, Lacson knows what it's like to be the nemesis of a sitting president. Lacson exposed alleged government corruption during the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and even implicated her husband, Mike Arroyo, in alleged anomalous government deals.

During the Arroyo administration, Lacson faced arrest for the double murder of PR man Bubby Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito. He fled the country to escape political persecution, and only returned when Benigno Aquino III won the presidency. The charges against him were eventually dismissed. (READ: SC dismisses case against Lacson with finality)

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, a known De Lima critic, was also present in the hearing.

Lacson introduced him as “the best friend” of the lady senator.

In an unusual break from his criticisms, Aguirre openly agreed to at least two views and statements of De Lima at the hearing.

First, Aguirre said he agreed with De Lima that the “ransom” was only an "afterthought."

Lacson said in jest: "That for once?"

To which Aguirre replied, “Yes. I agree with Senator Leila de Lima that talagang parang (it's really like) kidnapping here is only an afterthought.”

Lacson also teased Aguirre the second time he agreed with the senator – this time on the legality of the President’s authority to appoint relieved officials.

“That’s twice already,” Lacson said with a smile.

Lacson was not always friendly with De Lima. When he was still in hiding in 2011, Lacson spoke against then Justice Secretary De Lima for her "ill-advised opinion" ordering his manhunt even after the Court of Appeals had already nullified the warrant for his arrest.

In August 2012, however, Lacson initiated a peace offering to De Lima – a birthday greeting via SMS. He later said he understood De Lima's previous actions as just part of her job.

Will De Lima ever have the same conclusion regarding Aguirre? – Rappler.com </s> “They are just making noise,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said on the alleged move by rich Filipino-American critics to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

Members of the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC), including billionaire philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis and her sister, former Commission on Filipino Overseas chairwoman Imelda “Mely” Nicolas, were reportedly pushing for Vice President Leni Robredo to become president in a “conspiracy” to oust Duterte.

In one of leaked emails dated Dec. 4, 2016 which was first posted online by a blogger, Lewis supposedly told GFDC members that the only way to fight an “evil plot” to unseat Robredo is to call for Duterte’s resignation.

“After all, he promised to resign in six months if he has not solved the drug epidemic in the Philippines,” the leaked email stated.

Aguirre said “she is calling for the Vice President to become president. She is calling for the resignation of the President. She is a dreamer. There are only few who are making a noise although they have money.”

The justice chief believed that both Robredo and Senator Leila De Lima, the staunchest critic of Duterte, stayed at Lewis’ home during their visit in the US last year.

READ: ‘I am not a part of any plot to oust Duterte’—Robredo

As far as the DOJ is concerned, he said there is no investigation being conducted.

However, he said he is not sure if the National Security Agency (NSA) is doing its own investigation./rga </s> The Department of Justice (DOJ) is moving to indict Sen. Leila de Lima to expedite her arrest in connection with her links to the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd said on Tuesday.

In a roundtable discussion with The Manila Times editorial team on Tuesday, Aguirre said the drug trafficking charge against the senator will be filed in regular courts instead of the Office of the Ombudsman where cases have often languished.

“A crime not in relation to your office, for example trading of illegal drugs, under the Dangerous Drugs Act, it is provided that the exclusive jurisdiction is with the RTC (regional trial courts),” he explained.

If the judge agrees that there is probable cause to try de Lima for drug trafficking, the former Justice secretary faces certain arrest and may not be able to post bail.

Aguirre noted that under Section 5 of the Dangerous Drugs Act (sale and trading of illegal drugs), taken together with Section 26 (b) (conspiracy), drug trafficking is a non-bailable offense if the evidence of guilt is strong.

Moreover, drug trafficking is a continuing offense and the case can be filed in the places where the crime was committed, he said.

The Cabinet official stressed that there was sufficient evidence against de Lima and the “only legal impediment” is for the judge “not to see the probable cause” against the senator.

Last year, drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa admitted giving de Lima P8 million to support her senatorial bid in the May 2016 elections. The transactions happened in Baguio City and in Pasay City.

De Lima is also being probed in connection with the complaints filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and former NBI deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, over alleged conspiracy to allow the drug trade inside the NBP.

Aguirre said the cases to be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman will be those in relation to her stint as Justice secretary in the previous administration, in which capacity she had jurisdiction over the national penitentiary.

“The Ombudsman cases will be cases with graft and corruption that will be cognizable with the Sandiganbayan. In other words, if the cases against her are cognizable with the Sandiganbayan, then a preliminary investigation should be conducted by the Ombudsman,” Aguirre said.

It is up to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to adopt any DOJ resolution to indict de Lima at the Sandiganbayan, or not to approve the case at all.

“And since we were the ones who have concurrent jurisdiction and since it is the Ombudsman which has the primary jurisdiction, then we have to forward this with the Ombudsman for further preliminary investigation unless they wanted to adopt the resolution of the DOJ,” Aguirre pointed out.

The DOJ panel probing de Lima is led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, with Senior Assistant City Prosecutors Alexander Ramos, Leila Llanes, Evangeline Viudez-Canobas and Assistant State Prosecutor Editha Fernandez as members.

Senator de Lima on Tuesday expressed hope that she would be put in a safe and secure place in the event that she is arrested in connection with the drug trafficking complaints filed against her.

De Lima said her legal team was preparing for the possible issuance of an arrest warrant against her anytime soon.

“My only request in case that eventuality happened, God forbid, is that I will be placed in a safe and secure place. A lot of things have been happening, there were those being killed inside their cell. So what is another EJK (extra-judicial killing)?” de Lima told reporters.

The embattled senator, a leading critic of the President’s war on drugs, also said she will not resist in case the warrant is served on her.

“I cannot physically resist. I am morally and psychologically resisting it because I’m innocent absolutely, but physically I cannot resist. What can I do?” she added.

De Lima has pending petitions at the Court of Appeals on the first consolidated drug-related cases filed by the VACC, NBI and the two former officials as well as the second complaint linking her to Espinosa.

The senator said her lawyers have filed an urgent motion to resolve her application for a temporary restraining order, but the Court of Appeals has yet to act on it. A number of justices have inhibited from the case.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he would back de Lima’s wish to be detained in a safe place considering that there have been precedents.

Lacson was referring to former senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., who are detained at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame over pork barrel misuse.

“If former senators were allowed to be detained in that facility, how much more a sitting senator,” Lacson added. </s> Philippines Senator Leila de Lima is "preparing for a worst-case scenario" over the possibility of charges being filed and the issuance of an arrest warrant against her over her alleged role in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.

The Liberal Party senator has frequently clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte and claimed it has long been his ambition to see her jailed. She also referred to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II's recent statement that an arrest warrant against her could be served "anytime" soon.

"I've been preparing for a worst-case scenario because it's long been ordered by the president," de Lima said on Monday (13 February). "Hasn't he said for the longest time that he wants me locked up in jail to suffer the fate of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?"

"Those are his words, not mine. So Duterte and his allies have long been plotting against me," she added. Recent reports suggest that de Lima could be indicted this week.

De Lima has been accused of tolerating and gaining from the outlawed narcotics trade at the New Bilibid Prison by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), former officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the NBI itself, according to Inquirer.net. Convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian also filed a complaint against de Lima which was consolidated by the Department of Justice (DoJ).

The senator said she does not know when an arrest warrant will be issued. "But Secretary Aguirre has confirmed that the resolution (for the warrant of arrest) would be released very, very soon. And then he had statements like 'she should better brace herself for an arrest,'" she added.

De Lima said her case should be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman as she is a government official. "Instead of bringing the resolution to the Ombudsman, which has jurisdiction over me, they would go straight to regular courts to secure an arrest warrant," she claimed.

Aguirre II hit back against the accusations on Monday, calling them "totally erroneous". He said: "As a lawyer and as a former secretary of justice, she should know that the DoJ does not issue warrants of arrest.

"Consequently, it is totally irresponsible of her to announce that the DoJ is expediting the issuance of such warrants. That is a blatant lie and a total misinformation. Senator De Lima's motivation for saying such is beyond us," he added.

As the battle between de Lima and public officials rages on, the senator said she has instructed her legal team to prepare charges of subornation of perjury and tampering of witnesses against Aguirre II.

"Yes, my legal team is working on it. We are filing our own complaint against Secretary Aguirre with the Office of the Ombudsman," de Lima confirmed. She has repeatedly accused the justice secretary of forcing witnesses to testify against her during an investigation into her alleged drug links.
Philippine senators call for Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to resign.