House of Representatives justice committee chairperson Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali on Thursday slammed Senator Leila de Lima for snubbing the House probe on the proliferation of drugs at the New Bilibid Prison.
In his opening speech at the reopening of the House inquiry in aid of legislation, Umali quoted from the committee report which lamented De Lima鈥檚 absence in today鈥檚 hearing even in the presence of star witness Ronnie Dayan, De Lima鈥檚 former driver, lover and alleged bagman.
When Dayan limped his way to his seat, Umali said no one would even believe that Dayan was forced or threatened to testify.
搁贰础顿:听House panel chair says BIlibid probe not about聽De聽Lima
鈥淕wapong gwapo si Dayan. Yung mga nagsasabing he was under duress, walang maniniwala,鈥� Umali said.
Umali read from the committee report which read that the 鈥渃ommittee laments the failure of De Lima to attend the hearings despite several invitations including today鈥檚 hearing, as it showed her lack of respect to a co-equal chamber.鈥�
鈥淗er refusal to attend the legislative inquiry is also inconsistent with the mandate given to her with the Constitution 鈥β爓hich states that public office is a public trust and that public officers must all times be accountable to the people and this is the House of the people,鈥� Umali said in reading out the report.
鈥淵ou must give Congress due respect it highly deserves, even if you鈥檙e a member of co-equal chamber who enjoys interparliamentary courtesy,鈥� Umali said.
De聽Lima belongs to the Lambda Rho Sigma聽sorority.聽Umali聽is a member of the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity.
Umali聽was a partymate of聽De聽Lima聽in the Liberal Party during the previous 16th Congress before he jumped to President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 party Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in the 17th Congress.
Umali聽is also the brother of Liberal Party treasurer Alfonso聽Umali. CDG/rga
RELATED VIDEO