Jaybee Sebastian's camp fails to file raps vs De Lima

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:05 p.m.) — The camp of high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian failed to file a criminal case on Wednesday against Sen. Leila De Lima at the Office of the Ombudsman due to incomplete requirements.

Eduardo Arriba Jr., Sebastian's lawyer, tried to file a case against the former Justice secretary over undue threats or injury inflicted to his client. He claimed De Lima violated Section 3E of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The provision states that a public official who causes undue injury in the discharge of his function through evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence will be penalized.

Arriba said his camp will again try to file the complaint on Thursday after the agency rejected it due to lack of documents. Reports say Sebastian's wife also failed to appear at the Ombudsman's office to take the oath.

The complaint stems from Sebastian's transfer from the National Bilibid Prison's maximum security compound to Building 14, where his camp claims his life was threatened by other inmates. He was transferred there in 2014 after a series of raids by authorities ordered by De Lima.

The lawyer said De Lima's recent statements claiming that Sebastian was a government asset caused another threat to the inmate's life, citing the frustrated murder during a riot in the prison on September 28.

Sebastian along with Peter Co and Vincent Sy was injured in the encounter last week. Another inmate, Tony Co, died from the incident.

"Namemeligro ang buhay niya," Arriba told reporters in a televised interview.

Arriba said Sebastian is willing to cooperate in the House Committee on Justice investigation into the proliferation of the drug trade inside the Bilibid.

"He is willing to disclose anything to his personal knowledge," Arriba said.