(Eagle News)–Senator Leila De Lima walked out of yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, after taking offense on the comments of some senators that she concealed material information to the committee.
Senator Richard Gordon, the chairman of the committee, along with Senator Panfilo Lacson, noted that De Lima failed to disclose in previous hearings that she had information about the kidnap for ransom case filed against Matobato. The case was filed by Sali Makdum’s common law wife.
“It was incontrovertible that she was in possession of a knot that she herself made. That was so devastating, it could have been said while Matobato was lying here that there was a case na fi-nile sa kaniya ng NBI na kidnapping for ransom,” said Gordon.
De Lima said she did not do it on purpose. “Napansin ko nga ho ‘yun ngayon. Because I have extensive notes. So, I could not be expected na habang nagtetestify si Mr. Matobato noong 5th and 22nd ay maco-correct ko lahat o maisu-supply ko po yung info based on my notes,” she said.
Lacson then replied: “We did not ask because we did not know, but you knew.”
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV then read a record of a previous testimony of Matobato disclosing that there was a kidnapping case filed against him.
Trillanes then asked Gordon to apologize to De Lima, which Gordon declined. “Not on your life boy” replied the senator from Olongapo. Gordon maintained that De Lima had tried to conceal the matter.
“It pains me to be accused of material concealment,” said De Lima. “I am walking out, I’m sorry.”
De Lima, in a statment she issued later that night, argued that Matobato had been forthcoming with the case filed against him.
Gordon and Lacson, the chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Committee of Justice and Human Rights, expressed their anger and frustration at the departure of Matobato from the senate premises just as the kidnapping issue came into light.
Gordon was informed by a note from the office of Trillanes that Matobato was no longer available to answer the panel’s questions.
“Matobato had to leave so his security won’t be compromised…” Gordon read from the note. “Para bang nu’ng nabuko na, biglang nawala na,” Gordon added.
This development drew the ire of Gordon and Lacson as well as of senators Allan Peter Cayetano and Manny Pacquiao.
“I would like to believe, although I hate to admit this, that we were all taken of a ride by Mr. Matobato. And it’s so frustrating that after all, we’re not smarter than the first grader,” Lacson added, in reference to Matobato’s first grade education.
De Lima protested Gordon and Lacson’s conclusion as “unfair.”
Trillanes, meanwhile, defended Matobato’s departure, saying it was his call to have the witness leave the premises, citing security concerns. (AYP,Eagle News)