De Lima, Espino: Drug matrix ‘laughable’

MANILA, Philippines - The typos and grammatical errors made her laugh, Sen. Leila de Lima said yesterday of the so-called drug matrix, which she described as rubbish deserving no place but the trash bin.

“This whole madness is almost laughable. Nung nakita ko ang matrix, natawa na lang ako at naawa sa Pangulo (When I saw the matrix I laughed and felt pity for the President). It’s a scrap of paper, it belongs to the garbage can,” she told reporters in the press room of the Senate during a surprise visit.

De Lima sat down for the first time with reporters for a chat, bringing with her two birthday cakes. She is celebrating her 57th birthday tomorrow.

She made light of Duterte’s release of the matrix, which she said was sloppily prepared and could have well been made by a child.

De Lima brought with her a copy of the matrix, which was heavily annotated by her staff – with notes criticizing its grammar and style.

“Was it a joke? Like most of his jokes before, this latest one he will surely regret. Like the many tirades thrown at me, these are bound to fail again with all of these trumped-up accusations and the worst matrix of all time. Even a 12-year-old can draw such a thing,” De Lima said.

“May typo, wrong English, have you seen anything like this and the President will publicize it? It’s hastily prepared so the President would have something to present,” she added.

She argued there was nothing in the matrix that could link her to illegal drugs or specifically to drug lords or convicts.

“Nasaan yung mga drug lords dito? Nasaan yung mga drug convicts dito? Akala ko ba sinasabi nila nag bebenefit ako sa drugs sa Bilibid. Nasaan? E kung mapapansin niyo, yung arrows nga all point to Governor Espino (Where are the drug lords here? Where are the drug convicts? I thought they were saying I benefited from Bilibid. Where? If you notice, all the arrows point to Governor Espino),” De Lima said, referring to former Pangasinan governor and now Rep. Amado Espino Jr.

De Lima also denounced the way her former colleagues were being linked to illegal drugs at the NBP.

Former justice undersecretary Francis Baraan and former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Franklin Bucayu, as well as her former driver Ronnie Palisoc Dayan, were also in the matrix. BuCor, which manages the NBP, is under the DOJ. Also mentioned in the matrix were Urbiztondo, Pangasinan Mayor Raul Sison.

She said that Bucayu resigned as BuCor chief last year because he could no longer stand the illegal activities going on inside the NBP.

“It is very, very malicious. Kawawa naman ang mga nadadawit (Pity those being dragged into this),” De Lima said.

She also downplayed Duterte’s statement that her political career is “finished.”

“That’s what he thinks!” De Lima said, stressing she had no political ambition in the first place.

She also denied the “Warren” mentioned by Duterte was her boyfriend. She said Warren was part of her security team.

She also admitted to writing to former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino regarding Warren, but did not specify what it was about.

“Is that evidence of my relationship (with him)?” De Lima said.

‘Taken aback’

Meanwhile in Dagupan City, Espino said he was “taken aback” by Duterte’s linking him to illegal drugs at the NBP.

“During my nine-year term as governor, the province of Pangasinan was relentless in its anti-illegal drugs campaign, up to now. It was during my term when a sizeable portion of the total provincial budget was earmarked yearly for the anti-illegal drugs program, and the Provincial Anti-Drugs Council and, consequently, the Municipal and Barangay Anti-Drugs Councils were reorganized and reactivated,” Espino told a press briefing.

“It appears that this pronouncement was made without the benefit of a credible validation, to establish the truth,” he said, adding that “our only request now is for this alleged matrix to be subjected to a thorough and objective investigation, and for us to be given the chance to present our side and clear our names.”

He said he is thinking of what legal action to take later.

“I just want to assure each one of you that I have nothing to do with this. I love the future of our provincemates, especially the youth, that’s why ever since I hate drugs,” he said.

He stressed he fully supports Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. He lamented his family was agonizing over the accusations raised against him.

He also denied ownership of various properties in Pangasinan.

“Some say I own the Urduja House (the official residence of Pangasinan governor), a restaurant which is owned by a board member, a house by a certain Ms. Macaranas, among others.

“They say I own many properties. Those are not mine. These have anyway come out in the Internet and have been used in previous elections,” he said.

Espino’s former provincial administrator Rafael Baraan called his inclusion in the matrix “nothing but a big, horrible joke.”

Baraan’s brother Francisco said in a separate text message to The STAR there was nothing in the matrix to link them to drugs.

“How can I comment on some matrix that no one explained to me what it means? I just see names there, that’s all,” he said. Cesar Ramirez, Eva Visperas