Alvarez: Panel may show alleged De Lima video 'to find truth'

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Pantaleon”Bebot” Alvarez on Wednesday is ok with allowing the viewing of the alleged sex video of Sen. Leila De Lima in the House probe as long as it is done to find "the truth."

“Well, para sa’kin wala naman sigurong diperensya na ipanood iyan (alleged sex video) para malaman ng tao kung talagang totoo ‘yan o hindi,” Alvarez told reporters.

Alvarez said the supposed video involving De Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan is relevant to the House Committee on Justice's probe on the proliferation of drugs inside the New Bilibid Prisons to determine if they really have a connection. He said it is also because De Lima refuses to attend the inquiry.

On Tuesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II accused De Lima of having three sex videos, which he claimed to have personally seen. He said these could have material use in possible cases against the senator. It is illegal, however, 

Like Alvarez, Aguirre said the video will prove Dayan had influence in the Department of Justice, which De Lima used to head. The Justice secretary said they will be forced to present the video at the congressional probe if the senator continues to deny her relationship with Day.

The House probe will resume on Monday, October 5.

Alvarez said there will be no legal violation in showing De Lima’s video. He said it will only be done in an inquiry in aid of legislation.

Asked if the presentation of the video is a form of “slut-shaming,” Alvarez denied. “No, of course not. Well, she's denying that she is the one involved in that sex video so kung mag-de-deny ka, aba  humarap ka dito at sabihin mo na, 'Hindi ako 'yun,’” the solon responded.

De Lima cried foul Aguirre's proposal, saying the presentation of such video is against the law. She denied being in the video and said the administration is trying to portray her as a sexually prolific woman. 

Alvarez who admitted he has not yet seen the video clarified it will be shown not for the lawmakers' pleasure but as proof for the inquiry.

“Ipapalabas natin hindi dahil gusto nating panoorin. Ine-establish lang natin yung katotohanan kung talagang may relasyon o wala [kay Dayan],” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has claimed in previous speeches that he has seen the supposed De Lima video. He claimed Dayan was a lover and bagman for De Lima, whom he said got funds for her election campaign from drug lords.