
A court order is needed to visit former Sen. Leila M. De Lima who is detained at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City on illegal drugs charges pending before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC).
“Since the matter is with the courts, there must be a court order to visit,” said Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokesperson Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV.
De Lima was charged for her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City when she was secretary of justice.
Clavano recounted that even the American delegation led by Sen. Edward J. Markey was not allowed to visit the former lawmaker without a court order.
“Similar to US Senator Markey, they were denied at first but were granted visitation rights the day after they filed the motion,” he stressed.
He said the PNP “merely followed protocol” when it did not allow the visit of number of persons, who did not get a court order for the visit, during De Lima’s 63rd birthday celebration last Aug. 27.