The Department of Justice (DOJ) will continue its preliminary investigation on the complaints filed against Senator Leila de Lima despite the Office of the Ombudsman's apparent reluctance to initiate one, the secretary said Wednesday.

Aguirre told reporters he is puzzled that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales believes the evidence against De Lima is not sufficient and are "mere allegations."

"Palagay ko ay hindi lang ito mere allegations. These are accusations, although testimonial evidence lamang. Pero whether they are testimonial evidence, these are evidence against somebody being charged for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act," he said.

(I think these are not mere allegations. These are accusations, although only testimonial evidence. But whether they are testimonial evidence, these are evidence against somebody being charged for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act.)

"Hindi ko po alam bakit niya sinasabi yun. I believe it is the Ombudsman herself who could explain her stand," he added.

(I don't know why she said that. I believe it is the Ombudsman herself who could explain her stand.)

Morales in October said there was no firm lead yet to probe De Lima. "It's not going to happen. Lahat naman, allegations itong mga ito. Wala pa namang lead," she said.

Aguirre, however, maintained that the DOJ has concurrent jurisdiction with the anti-graft body, and that it will continue its investigation on the senator, who has been linked to the drug trade by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Since the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman have concurrent jurisdiction—mabuti na lang may concurrent (it's a good thing it's concurrent)—despite the resistance from the Ombudsman to investigate Secretary or Senator Leila de Lima, the Department of Justice has received four complaints," he said.

He explained that this means such cases can be investigated or heard in preliminary investigation by the two offices at the same time.

"We are conducting, we are continuing our preliminary investigation in connection with these charges," he said.

He admitted, however, that the Ombudsman would have primary jurisdiction over De Lima's cases after their preliminary investigation.

"So what we are going to do is that kung anuman ang findings namin, kung anuman ang recommendation namin, ipadadala po namin iyan sa Ombudsman na merong primary jurisdiction over these cases. Ito ‘yung mga cases na cognizable by the Sandiganbayan."

(So what we are going to do is whatever our findings will be, whatever our recommendation will be, we will send it to the Ombudsman who has primary jurisdiction over these cases. These are the cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.)

"So, pagkatapos namin dito, the ball will now be in the court of the Ombudsman," he added.

(So after we finish here, the ball will now be in the court of the Ombudsman.)