(Eagle News)– At the resumption of Senate inquiry on drug killings, Senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday (September 22) criticized Senator Leila De Lima for obviously defending supposed Davao Death Squad (DDS) member Edgar Matobato.
“What I understand, Mr. Chairman dito, ito ay inquiry sa isang witness para pakinggan natin yung statement ng witness. Hindi natin dedepensahan siya kung hindi i-examine kung nagsasabi siya ng totoo,” Pacquiao stressed, addressing Senate justice committee chair Senator Richard Gordon.
“Tayong mga senador nagi-imbestiga, hindi magpo-proktekta sa witness. ‘Yun po ang rules natin dito,” he added.
Pacquiao meddled during the hearing after De Lima urged other senators not to “mislead” Matobato when they ask their questions.
Gordon, offended by De Lima’s request, denied any attempt to mislead Matobato.
“I would normally say I resent that remark.. but you’re a lady. I will always respect you as lady. There’s no attempt on the part of this representation and I believe people seated on this desk here have any attempt to mislead,” Gordon said.
“Please don’t cast any aspersions, we’re all lawyers here. I don’t want to lecture any lawyer here and I don’t want to be lectured either,” the Senate justice committee chair added.
For the second time, Matobato faced the Senate panel to testify on suspected killings allegedly directed by then Davao City mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte.