A face-off is brewing between the newly-exonerated Leila de Lima and her old nemesis, Rodrigo Duterte, in the House of Representatives.
This, after the two were invited to attend a future hearing of the House Committee on Human Rights on the extra judicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration's war on drugs.
Up next: Duterte-De Lima face-off in House probe on bloody drug war?
Jun 25, 2024 07:59 AM
At a glance
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (left), former senator Leila de Lima (Malacañang photo, Facebook)
Will there be a face-off soon between the newly-exonerated Leila de Lima and her old nemesis, Rodrigo Duterte, in the House of Representatives?
Back-to-back motions from Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas during a hearing of the House Committee on Human Rights on Tuesday, June 25 has given this a chance of happening in the near future.
Presided by its chairman, Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., the hearing delved on the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) committed during the previous Duterte administration's aggressive war on drugs, particularly the testimonies of victims' families.
"Mr. Chair, a motion to invite the former president Rodrigo Duterte and of course Senator [Ronald] Bato dela Rosa para po sa pagsagot dito sa mga issues na inahapag ng mga EJK victims and their families (so that they may answer the issues put forth by the EJK victims and their families)," Brosas said.
Minutes later, the Makabayan solon thought it would be a good idea to also invite former senator Leila de Lima as a resource person.
"Since mga victims yung nandito, baka meron pang isa, for example, si dating senator Leila de Lima para maging resource person din natin kaugnay sa war on drugs since she is one of the, matindi din yung kanyang hinarap nung nakaraan. Siguro if the body will approve," Brosas said.
(Since the victims are here now, maybe we can have one more, for example, former senator Leila de Lima, as a resource person in relation to the war on drugs since she is one of those who went through hardships. Maybe if the body will approve.)
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The two motions received no objections and were swiftly approved by Abante.
The date of Duterte, Dela Rosa, and De Lima's House panel attendance is yet to be confirmed. It also remains to be seen if they will honor the invite.
De Lima was incarcerated on Feb. 24, 2017, less than a year into Duterte’s Palace tenure. She was slapped with multiple drug charges.
De Lima, a member of the Liberal Party (LP), was released on bail last Nov. 13, 2023, or after spending over six years in police custody.
On Monday, June 24, the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 dismissed her third and final charge linked to conspiracy to commit drug trading after the prosecution failed to prove her guilt.