Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Monday defended her legal team against accusations they are disclosing significant developments in her illegal drug case unlawfully and dishonestly.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
De Lima said her lawyers are merely making factual updates regarding her case.
“What my lawyers, particularly Atty. Boni Tacardon, the spokesperson of my legal defense team, have been sharing with media and the public as to the developments in my cases, are factual,” De Lima said in a statement.
“Wala pong sinungaling sa kampo namin. (There are no liars in my camp),” the opposition lawmaker stressed.
As their principal, De Lima said she authorized her lawyers to disclose to the public material and significant particulars from witnesses' declarations during the hearings, and other case developments, in the interest of truth and transparency.
“There is no denying that the trial in my trumped-up drug cases is of high interest to the public,” she said.
“Hence, the public’s right to know what’s going on in these cases cannot be stifled,” she added.
Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento had earlier disclosed the prosecution’s plan to move for the senator’s lawyers to be cited in contempt for disclosing details of the trial with the media and violating the sub judice rule.
According to Malcontento, the senator’s camp has been “cherry-picking” which parts of their witness’ testimonies to divulge to the media.
“It's not fair because we have to respect the independence of the courts, so kami we will not engage into that kind of thing,” he said.