MANILA – Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino on Friday urged fellow Senator Leila De Lima not be discouraged from probing the extra-judicial killings on Monday despite being attacked with allegations of her own.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be discouraged,” Aquino said, noting that the senator was “tough” for standing her ground.
“We know Sen. De Lima as a tough public servant so I trust that she will be able to overcome this obstacle that comes with her role as legislator,” he added.
Aquino meanwhile expressed confidence that despite the allegations, De Lima would be able to efficiently perform her job as solon in the scheduled hearings next week.
“I trust that she doesn’t let this affect her and that she fearlessly seeks for truth and justice in the senate hearing on Monday (Aug 22),” the senator said.
Last Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte, in his speech during the 115th service anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame on Wednesday, linked De Lima to drug coddling in Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
De Lima cried “foul” and appealed to the President to stop the personal attacks against her as it was already a form of “character assassination.”
Duterte made these remarks after de Lima last week called for a probe on the extra-judicial killings under the administration’s intensified anti-drug campaign.
The hearings are scheduled on Aug 22 and 23./PNA/RMA/ANP