Secretary Locsin’s Washington meetings

The Washington, D.C. meetings we arranged for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin was, in my view, highly productive and our messaging extremely successful.  

We first had a meeting at the State Department with Deputy Secretary Stephen Biegun (Secretary Pompeo was out on a five-nation tour) wherein we discussed matters of mutual interest on a wide range of topics that include the new coronavirus outbreak, which has been declared by the World Health Organization as a global public health emergency. The number of cases continues to spike with the death toll rising in Wuhan, China which has been pinpointed as the epicenter of the outbreak. 

A fairly large number have reportedly died with the number of confirmed cases continually rising. In several countries that include the US, the infection is now spreading through human-to-human contact. The World Health Organization also made an appeal to the global community to “show solidarity and cooperation.”  

The denuclearization issue with North Korea was also discussed, considering that the situation continues to be a security challenge in the Asia Pacific region. In fact, Undersecretary for Defense and Policy John Rood asserted that North Korea poses an “ongoing, credible threat” to the US and its allies, most especially South Korea and Japan. Security analysts agree that the threat of a nuclear arms race is real, with North Korea as well as Iran perceived to be “inciting” this race.

For the most part, the meeting was productive, and both parties reaffirmed the value of the alliance between the US and the Philippines based on deep ties, shared values and the historic friendship between the two nations and their people. Most importantly, we all recognize the value of mutual respect especially with regard to each nation’s sovereignty as befitting equal partners and allies. 

We later had a conversation with US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, who requested to speak to us. Senator Risch emphasized that we must continue to work together on areas of mutual interest, and that the sovereignty of each nation must be respected.

The most significant part of the meetings we arranged for Sec. Locsin was our meeting at the White House with National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien. Ambassador O’Brien expressed keen understanding of President Duterte’s concerns and sentiments on sovereignty. He of course pointed out that the White House has no control over what the US Senate does in terms of resolutions filed. Ambassador O’Brien told us he is looking forward to the meeting between President Trump and President Duterte in Las Vegas this coming March. 

Status of Senator De Lima’s case

Just recently, I sent out to US senators a status update on the criminal cases that have been filed against Senator De Lima, all of which I obtained directly from the courts themselves. Here are the highlights:

On Criminal Case No. 17-167 pending before Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court presided by Acting Presiding Judge Grace Chavez-Ty, the senator and numerous co-accused are charged with conspiracy to sell drugs – an offense where bail may be denied when evidence of guilt is strong. About 10 hearings have been conducted after the case was transferred from Branch 206 to Branch 256 on Feb. 14, 2017 as a result of Senator De Lima’s motion to inhibit then Acting Presiding Judge Lorna Domingo, which the latter granted. The next hearings are scheduled this Feb. 21 and 28 for continuation of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence. All accused were present during court proceedings.

On Criminal Case 17-166 where the senator and Jose Adrian Dera are charged with conspiracy to sell drugs, with the case pending before Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 and filed on Feb. 17, 2017. More than 20 hearings having been conducted since then. The latest hearing was scheduled on Jan. 24. Both co-accused were present during court proceedings. 

In Criminal Case 17-165, Senator De Lima and Ronnie Dayan are also accused of conspiracy to sell drugs, with the case filed on Feb. 17, 2017 but received by Branch 205 from Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC on Jan. 22, 2018.There have been approximately 15 hearings conducted, including motions, since September 30, 2019. A hearing was scheduled last January 24 for the presentation of evidence by the prosecution. Both the senator and Dayan were present during court proceedings. 

Many people have told me they find it rather ironic that our judicial system – patterned after the United States – is being assailed by US senators. Except for the fact that we do not have a jury system, we have the same process. We have lower courts (municipal trial courts), regional trial courts, the Court of Appeals as well as the Sandiganbayan that has jurisdiction over graft and corruption cases involving government employees.  

The Supreme Court, which like in the US is the final arbiter of the law, is consistently working to introduce reforms that, in the words of Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, would “provide swift, efficient, fair and responsive justice for all regardless of stature.” 

A major priority is de-clogging court dockets from the Supreme Court down to the lowest courts. Another reform initiative is automation via the eCourts project to make monitoring and processing of cases more efficient through technology. Misfits and the corrupt will also be weeded out through a system that allows the court to initiate investigations even in the absence of complaints.

 As I have consistently said, we will continue to engage with all the branches of the US government on any issue, with the clear understanding of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty.

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