Alvarez wants De Lima probed over drugs in Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines – The reported proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) when Sen. Leila de Lima was justice secretary should be given more priority in any Congress investigation and not the rising drug-related killings, incoming speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at yesterday’s fellowship gathering of PDP-Laban members in Makati City, Alvarez said a House probe on what were believed to be drug-related killings would be futile, as Congress has no prosecutorial powers.

He added any investigation into the extrajudicial killings would not be in aid of legislation.

“For me it’s an exercise in futility. Any investigation into extrajudicial killings should be in aid of legislation. So what legislation are we eyeing here? If we prove there’s extrajudicial killing then what? What will be done? To make it illegal? It’s already illegal – the law says it’s illegal. It is a crime – summary execution,” Alvarez said in Filipino.

“Let us remember that Congress has no prosecutorial power – only recommendatory. We can recommend to the Department of Justice the filing of appropriate criminal charges. Again, the DOJ will conduct its own preliminary investigation and if they find probable cause, then they can file a case,” Alvarez added.

When asked by reporters what issue should be investigated in aid of legislation, Alvarez said it’s the reported proliferation of drug dealing and drug use at the NBP under De Lima’s watch. The NBP is under the DOJ.

“If we have to investigate in aid of legislation, then let us investigate why during the term of now Senator De Lima, there was a proliferation of illegal drugs right inside the Bilibid. That’s what we should investigate,” he pointed out.

“I will file a resolution to have it investigated,” the House leader told reporters.

Alvarez said he intends to summon De Lima, as well as the alleged drug lords now serving time at the NBP, as witnesses. Alvarez said De Lima could decline any summons from the House. “If she doesn’t show up, it’s her problem. We can’t force her to attend out of courtesy. But we will call the witnesses,” he said.

Alvarez said such House hearing could be held right inside the NBP for security reason.

He maintained Congress should actively take part in the administration’s ongoing war against illegal drugs to dispel any suspicion that drug lords are influencing members of Congress.

“We know there’s plenty of money in drugs. I don’t want Congress to invite suspicion that it’s helping derail the active campaign against illegal drugs of the present administration,” he said.

Alvarez’s pronouncement to summon De Lima to a House probe came amid the emergence of reports linking her to convicted bank robber Herbert Colangco.

It was during De Lima’s stint as justice secretary when the dismantling of luxurious quarters at the NBP for convicted drug lords began.

Contacted by The STAR, De Lima said Alvarez’s proposed resolution was probably meant to stop her from pursuing a Senate investigation into the rising incidence of extrajudicial killings.

“What are they implying? That I’m coddling drug pushers?”

“It’s so ironic because it was I who started all these raids in the NBP,” she pointed out.

She said she does not see any motive in the recent attacks in social media as well as from the Duterte administration officials, except to cow her into withdrawing her resolution calling for an investigation.

The senator stressed she is fully supportive of the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs – but only if it is carried out in accordance with the law.

“Yes, drugs destroy lives but we don’t need to destroy lives and the rule of law to end drugs,” she said.

She said she would welcome Alvarez’s call if it were in aid of legislation or in the interest of passing laws for prison reforms and end the criminal enterprises inside the NBP.

“But if it is specifically directed against me in response to my firm stand to inquire into the rampant daily summary executions, then this would only be a legislative inquiry in aid of my demolition, consistent with the actions of administration attack dog Jose Calida,” she said, referring to the Solicitor General. – With Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla