Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima denied the reports that she had resigned from office following talks between the government and Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) who reportedly asked for her head.
鈥淚 am here to work. Will I be here if I resigned already?鈥� de Lima told reporters Tuesday.
鈥淸There is] no such thing,鈥� de Lima said referring to the reported deal.
De Lima was part of the emergency meeting in Malaca帽ang Sunday evening while thousands of INC members were on Edsa protesting government鈥檚 alleged violation of their religious freedom.
READ: No deal struck with Iglesia, says Palace
She, however, refused to give details about the meeting or comment on the INC protest.
鈥淗umihingi ako ng pang-unawa. Hindi ako makakapag-issue ng statement. Gusto ko lang iwasan ang mga sitwasyon na baka may mag-misquote sa akin o magdistort o mag spin ng mga sasabihin ko po na pwedeng magdulot na naman ng hindi pagkakaunawaan,鈥� de Lima said.
(I appeal for understanding. I won鈥檛 issue a statement. I just want to avoid a scenario where I am misquoted or someone would distort or put another spin on my statement which would cause another misunderstanding.)
She said she will resign in due time.
鈥淗indi po ako magreresign ngayon or in the next few days or several days dahil walang dahilan para ako magresign,鈥� de Lima said, adding that she will only resign once she is 100 percent sure that she will join the senatorial race.
READ: It鈥檚 time to get from point 鈥楯鈥� to point 鈥楽,鈥� says de Lima
For now, she said 鈥淚 am back to work. Lots of work to do.鈥�
The INC protest started last Aug. 27 at DOJ while de Lima was celebrating her birthday.
The INC questioned de Lima鈥檚 鈥渆xcessive鈥� attention to the complaints filed by expelled members of the INC against the Sanggunian, INC鈥檚 highest administrative body. During their protests, INC members also ridiculed De Lima and called her different names. Tetch Torres-Tupas/IDL
READ: From 鈥榟ustisya鈥� to 鈥榟ostess siya鈥�: Iglesia ni Cristo protesters ridicule De Lima | Iglesia Ni Cristo protest backlash: De Lima trends like pop star