How can Senator Leila de Lima defend herself when the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General cannot agree on the nature of her offense. This was the question raised by former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay during Tuesday’s oral argument on De Lima’s petition to nullify the court’s order for arrest as well as the lower court’s lack of jurisdiction. The high court is hearing both De Lima’s camp and the government through Solicitor General Jose Calida. The former solicitor general said what the DOJ is doing is like prosecuting someone for murder without the evidence of killing or for theft without any evidence of anything stolen as he noted that the DOJ’s evidence is mere testimonies of convicts. The oral argument is still ongoing.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 14, 2017 08:35 UTC