Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has fired back at Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio, characterizing their latest legal maneuvers as a desperate attempt to evade accountability amidst ongoing impeachment proceedings.
The former senator’s remarks followed reports that Carpio intended to file criminal charges against her, several fellow lawmakers—including Akbayan Party-list Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro—and officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The complaints are rooted in the disclosure of alleged bank records presented during hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice.
De Lima dismissed the legal threats as a diversionary tactic, suggesting the Vice President’s camp is avoiding the core issues of the impeachment.
“Sa ginagawa nila ngayon, halatang-halata na nababahag ang buntot nila na sagutin ang mga alegasyon, at gusto na lang pagtakpan o ilihis lagi ang isyu. Hindi pwedeng gawing panangga lang ang korte sa kaduwagan nila,” De Lima stated.
Despite the warnings, Carpio proceeded to file the complaints on Monday morning, alleging violations of privacy and banking laws. Luistro, who chairs the justice panel, was also among those named in the suit.
De Lima viewed this move as a repetitive pattern of seeking judicial intervention to stall legislative inquiries.
“Karapatan po nila yan, tulad ng ginawa nilang pagdulog sa Korte Suprema at Quezon City Regional Trial Court para pigilan na naman o ilihis ang isyu sa ginagawang pagdinig sa impeachment complaints laban kay VP Sara,” she added.
While De Lima noted that she would wait for the official summons before finalizing her legal response, she stood firm on the legitimacy of the House proceedings.
She argued that presenting evidence related to alleged ill-gotten wealth is a standard part of high-level accountability and does not constitute a criminal act.
Ending on a defiant note, De Lima emphasized that the litigation would not deter the investigation into the Vice President’s conduct.
“At kung iniisip nila na sa pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa atin ay masisindak nila tayo, o na magdadalawang-isip o titigil tayo sa paghahanap ng katotohanan at pananagutan sa mabibigat na alegasyon laban kay VP Sara, imposibleng mangyari yan,” she concluded.