Promising proof, Aguirre advises De Lima to admit drug links

READ: De Lima casts doubt on Bilibid riot

"I am not discounting the possibility that this so called riot is Malacañang's way of sending messages to prisoners who refuse to implicate me in the Bilibid drug trade as part of Aguirre's and Malacanang's teleserye drama projecting me as the Bilibid drug queen. If this is the truth, I plead to Malacanang to stop this tragic, desperate and despicable actions," De Lima said in a televised press conference.

Aguirre meanwhile, said De Lima should instead answer the accusations towards her. No formal charges have been filed against De Lima, although allegations have been aired at televised hearings at the House of Representatives.

He also advised De Lima, who has been the target of comments from Duterte and his allies in recent weeks to not be hysterical.

"State the facts," Aguirres said, "at nang yang katwiran mo ay maunawaan ng tao. Otherwise, kung magiging hysterical ka, ganyan, mag sisisigaw ka, lalo kang hindi maiintindihan ng tao."

Aguirre also answered De Lima's accusations that the administration used bribes, torture and harassment to get inmates to testify against her.

"Alam mo, ang isang testigo na hinarass, tinakot, binayaran, o tinorture, ay makikita mo sa demeanor ng testigo na siya ay talagang tinakot o hinarass. Pero dun sa nakita ninyo nang iprisinta ko yang mga testigo na yan sa house, hindi ba makikita ninyo na very straight forward sila, kalmado," Aguirre said.

During her press conference, De Lima maintained her innocence, but dared the president to arrest her already.

"E kung aamin siya di makukulong talaga siya." Aguirre answered in a separate press conference.