‘Scapegoat’



In a statement, Liberal Party president and Senator Francis Pangilinan said that De Lima is being used as a “scapegoat” in the latest GCTA hearing.



“Hindi si Senator De Lima ang nagtangkang pakawalan si Mayor [Antonio] Sanchez at ang nagpakalawa sa mga convicts sa kasong rape at murder ng Chiong sisters, paano napunta sa kanya ang pag-iimbestiga? Paano nalihis ang usapin mula kay Faeldon at napunta kay Senator de Lima?” Pangilinan asked.



(It’s not Senator De Lima who tried to release Mayor Antonio Sanchez and who ordered the release of the convicts of the rape and murder of the Chiong sisters. How did the probe go in her direction? How was the conversation steered away from Faeldon to Senator De Lima?)



Pangilinan also dismissed De Lima’s alleged links to corruption in the Bureau of Corrections under Faeldon.



“It goes against all sense of fair play to drag the name of the already incarcerated Senator Leila de Lima to muddle the scandal involving Bilibid officials caught ordering the release of rich convicted criminals, contrary to the law that is meant to give justice to poor, powerless detainees who should rightfully be released for good behavior,” Pangilinan said. – Rappler.com