THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday defended the decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to bar certain personalities from visiting detained former senator Leila de Lima without a court order.
DOJ spokesman, lawyer Jose Dominic Clavano, stressed that the PNP “is merely following protocol” when it denied several political personalities to visit her in jail last August 27 to celebrate her birth anniversary.
Clavano noted that De Lima has been under the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Muntinlupa since drug charges were filed against her in 2017, thus, any person who would like to visit her in jail should seek prior approval from the courts.
“Since the matter is with the courts, there must be a court order to visit,” Clavano said.
Clavano explained that seeking prior approval from the courts was the advice given by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to US Senator Edward Markey during their recent meeting.
During their meeting, Markey and other US lawmakers requested to see De Lima, but were told to file a motion before the two Muntinlupa RTC courts hearing the drug cases against her.
“Similar to US Senator Markey, they were denied at first but were granted visitation rights the day after they filed the motion,” Clavano said.
“The courts are efficient,” he added.
But Clavano stressed that he could not speak on behalf of the PNP since it has its own protocols to follow.
Among those not allowed to personally greet De Lima on her birthday were former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, former Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, lawyer and Constitution framer Christian Monsod and his wife, Economics professor Solita Collas-Monsod.
De Lima is facing conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade before the Muntinlupa courts.
She is accused of benefiting financially from the illegal drug operations inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa during her term as justice secretary under the administration of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Several political personalities and groups here and abroad have appealed for the immediate release of De Lima from jail after several witnesses of the prosecution recanted their statements against her.