“As I have often said, I will not dignify any further this so-called drug matrix which, any ordinary lawyer knows too well, properly belongs to the garbage can,” Sen. Leila De Lima, who is linked by President Rodrigo Duterte himself to illegal drugs trade, tells reporters.
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday said the supposed plot of the Liberal Party (LP) to have President Rodrigo Duterte impeached was “just a figment of their wild imagination.”
“Naku, saan na naman kaya nanggaling ‘yan? Malaking kasinungalingan ‘yan. It’s just a figment of their wild imagination. Walang ganoong plot,” De Lima said in an interview with reporters.
De Lima made the statement after Duterte alleged that “yellow” forces were out to discredit him and build a case against him for possible impeachment proceedings in connection with the killings related to his administration’s war against drugs.
De Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte, suspected that the supposed plot was being tied to her and the LP as another hearing on alleged summary executions and extrajudicial killings is set to be conducted this week.
“I continue to condemn the daily killings kaya siguro ako ang tinitignan nila. Sa akin sila galit and since yellow ako, ang interpretation nila, may plano akong i-oust o impeach ang Pangulo,” she said.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon said the LP, once the ruling party led by former President Benigno Aquino III, have never met on the said plot alleged by Duterte.
“We have not met on this and we deny that we are part of such plot if indeed such plot exists. The Liberal Party has nothing to do with it,” Drilon said.
Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said Vice President Leni Robredo, the party’s top incumbent official, will take up the allegation with the President during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“I can confidently say that no plot exists. In fact, the leader of our party is a valued member of President Duterte’s Cabinet,” Senator Aquino said.
“We received word from VP Leni’s office that she will take this up tomorrow when they meet at the Cabinet meeting and clear on any misinformation that has reached the President,” the senator added. (MNS