Disbarment case filed against De Lima

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila de Lima is facing a disbarment case before the Supreme Court over her alleged "illicit affair" with her former driver Ronnie Dayan.

Anti-crime group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption Chairman Dante Jimenez, former National Bureau of Investigation deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala and jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam filed the complaint against the senator.

"Senator De Lima used her power and moral ascendancy to portray the role of Whitney Houston in the movie The Body Guard. Unfortunately, the closest that she can relate to Whitney Houston is the death of her legal profession through illegal drugs," the complaint read.

The complainants accused De Lima of gross immorality and violating the Lawyers Oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

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Earlier this week, the House minority called for the prosecution of De Lima over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.

The recommendation comes after the House committee on justice refused to file charges against De Lima in its report following the inquiry into the Bilibid drug trade.

The House minority believes that De Lima should face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. — Patricia Lourdes Viray