Senator Leila de Lima. File Photo

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's allies in the Lower House called out Senator Leila de Lima for double standards after the senator slammed an upcoming House probe on her even as she conducts an investigation on the President’s war on drugs.

The House Committee on Justice is set to investigate the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the national penitentiary during the term of De Lima as justice secretary.

De Lima, as DOJ chief, had supervision over the Bureau of Corrections, which in turn supervises the penitentiary.

“’Yun nga problema eh kapag siya ang nagpatawag ng hearing, kung sino-sinong witnesses ang ipinepresent dun sa Senado. In fact, nawawala na doon sa topic ng kanilang resolution na kung saan ang iniimbestigahan nila ay extrajudicial killings sa buong bansa,” said House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairman Ace Barbers.

During last week's Senate hearing, De Lima presented Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed former hitman of long-time Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said De Lima only presented Matobato to cushion the blow that the House probe will bring to her.

De Lima has denied all the allegations that she allowed the drug trade at the Bilibid to flourish. She said she will not attend the House probe.

"With or without an invitation, I will not attend that hearing," said De Lima.

"I will not even send any representative, lawyer or even an observer. I'm not at all recognizing that proceedings. It is a sham inquiry with no objective other than to demolish or destroy me, upon orders of the president,” she said.

Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, for his part, assured De Lima that the House probe will not be a sham.

''Well, that’s her opinion. You will have to witness how we will handle the hearing tomorrow. It will be fair, it will be impartial, and it will be purely concentrated on the proliferation of drugs in the New Bilibid Prisons,” he said.

Barbers said the probe will not only zero in on De Lima but also other personalities who may be involved in the alleged drug trade.

"Kaya naman na-identify sa period na iyun kasi yun lang ang pagkakataon na kung saan tumaas yung insidente ng pagbebenta ng droga at pagkakaroon ng ganiyang klaseng kontrabando sa loob,” Barbers said.

"Mayroon tayo pinopropose under the committee on dangerous drugs kung paano paiigtingin yung kampaniya doon sa mga law enforcement agents that deemed to have bungled yung kaso o kaya eh sinadyang ipinatalo yung kaso against a drug lord.”

Barbers clarified though that they don't even know yet what the testimonies will be.

Hernandez believes the testimonies of convicted inmates will not be made under duress.

"Paano magiging under pressure? They have nothing to lose. They’re already inside. They are convicted. They will only testify based on what they’ve seen , based on their personal knowledge,” he said.

Barbers also shares the same view.

“Nag-volunteer daw ng information itong mga witnesses eh. In fact they executed -- I don’t know if I’m wrong -- affidavits and handwritten affidavits,” he said.