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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – Sen. Leila de Lima on Monday filed against President Rodrigo Duterte a petition for writ of habeas data before the Supreme Court.
What de Lima calls a “test case” seeks to challenge the President’s immunity from suits.
“Kinakasuhan ko si Rodrigo Roa Duterte dahil sa kahindik-hindik na mga pananalita niya laban sa akin,” de Lima told a news conference.
Duterte accused the former Justice secretary of sexual misconduct and receiving drug money to fund her senatorial campaign in the last elections.
When she was human rights commissioner, de Lima faced criticism for leading investigations into summary executions of suspected criminals in Davao City where Duterte served as mayor for 22 years.
“Sumasabak ako sa laban kapag alam kong mayroon akong ipinaglalaban,” she said. “Ang paglapit ko sa Korte Suprema ay paraan ko sa pagwaksi ng demonyo na pilit ibinabaon ang buhay ko. I am sick and tired of being a victim who is always on defense.”
De Lima’s camp believes the presidential immunity cannot be used as a shield to block what the counsel Jose Manuel Diokno calls a “groundbreaking” case against Duterte.
“We are asking the [Supreme Court] if a sitting president can use the resources of his office to wage a personal vendetta,” Diokno said.
ESPINOSA DEATH ‘VERY SUSPICIOUS’
Meanwhile de Lima called the shooting of Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa inside the Baybay City Provincial Jail on Nov. 5 “mega impunity.” Duterte himself earlier tagged Espinosa to illegal drugs.
De Lima also dismissed insinuations that she masterminded Espinosa’s killing. “Nakakatawa na po sila to the point of being pathetic already,” she said. “Hindi ko naman kilala si Espinosa na iyan.”
The senator believes Espinosa was killed by drug protectors.
“Pamamaraan naman ito para lalo akong ipitin. Sasabihin nila na puwedeng isa ako sa masterminds,” she said. “Baka Mayor Espinosa showed signs na ire-retract niya na ang kanyang affidavit kung saan tinuturo akong nasa itaas ng drug trade.”/PN
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