DOJ allows De Lima to travel abroad

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) will allow Sen. Leila de Lima to fly to the United States and Germany despite the four sets of charges filed against her in relation to the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison during her term as justice secretary.

DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the agency has issued an allow departure order on De Lima’s planned trips abroad. 

“Acting on the letter of Senator de Lima relative to her plan to travel abroad, the DOJ has issued an Allow Departure Order or ADO to allow her to travel abroad because no case has yet been filed against her before the courts,” Aguirre said in a statement.

De Lima is scheduled to fly to the US to receive an award and to Germany to speak before the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy from Dec. 11 to 22.

The lawmaker said she has no intention of fleeing and will be back in the country after her obligations overseas.

“Both visits are very important to me because, as a senator, I will have a chance to speak before influential world leaders and global thinkers on raising awareness and support for human rights, an advocacy I am passionate about,” De Lima said, “This is a great opportunity to meet leaders from various fields from around the world and learn from their respective government’s initiatives and challenges about cultural diplomacy.”

She faces four sets of criminal charges before the DOJ for allegedly conspiring with some Bureau of Corrections officials and several drug lords detained at the New Bilibid Prison in the sale of illegal drugs in the country.

“There is, however, nothing to worry about as I will surely return, along with my staff who will be with me during these foreign visits. I hope my brief absence would provide a welcome relief and respite to my detractors and critics. I will keep them in mind though,” De Lima said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), former NBI deputy directors Raul Lasala and Reynaldo Esmeralda, and alleged drug lord Jaybee Sebastian filed the charges separately.

VACC chairman Dante Jimenez appealed to De Lima not to leave the country at this time, fearing she may only seek political asylum elsewhere.

The group is also asking that she attend the hearings conducted in Congress instead of prioritizing her engagements abroad.

In October, the DOJ issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against De Lima, former justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan, former Bureau of Corrections head Franklin Bucayu, De Lima’s former driver Ronnie Dayan, former Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission head Reginald Villasanta and De Lima’s former aide Joenel Sanchez because of their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the national penitentiary.

All six were required to ask permission before traveling abroad. – With Marvin Sy, Romina Cabrera