THE House of Representatives has filed a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Senator Leila De Lima for allegedly ordering her former bodyguard and lover Ronnie Dayan to snub the subpoena issued by the Justice panel in connection with its inquiry on the proliferation of illegal drug trade in the state penitentiary.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Oriental Mindoro Representative and Justice Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali and Ilocos Norte First District Representative Rodolfo FariƱas on Tuesday charged De Lima for allegedly violating Article 150 or the Revised Penal Code.
In a 4-page complaint affidavit, the members of the congress said that De Lima's advice to Dayan to not appear in the House inquiry is tantamount to "inducing disobedience" to summons issued by the Congress, a violation under the Revised Penal Code.
The said Code states that the: "Acts punished as disobedience to the National Assembly or its committee or its Constitutional Commission can be committed by (a) restraining another from attending as a witness in such legislative or constitutional body and by (b) inducing disobedience to a summon."
The penalty to such violation is arresto mayor or imprisonment of six months and one day up to six years and one day or a fine raging from two hundred to one thousand pesos, or both fine and imprisonment.
In a press conference in DOJ after the filing, Umali said they filed a case against De Lima as they will not tolerate any official to disrespect the congress.
"Hindi po kami rerespetuhin ng kahit na sino kapag pinabayaan namin ito na wala kaming gagawin. A disrespect na ginawa sa institusyon...Congress deserves respect that anyone, including a senator should give," he said.
In the reopening of the congress inquiry on November 24, Dayan said De Lima had instructed him, through her daughter Hannah Mae, to continue hiding and snub the hearing he was summoned to attend.
In reply to Hannah Mae's message asking De Lima for advice, the Senator said: Pakisabi sa kaniya (Dayan) magtago lang muna siya...Kagagawan 'yan nila Speaker Alvarez sa dikta ni Digong. Pagpiyestahan lang siya at kaming dalawa kapag mag-appear siya sa hearing na 'yan."
De Lima is facing four drug trafficking charges and graft complaints with the DOJ for allegedly benefitting in the Bilibid drug trade during her tenure as the Justice Secretary. (Sunnex)