(Eagle News) — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday asked Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to resign after messages he purportedly texted showed he urged someone to “expedite cases” against her.
In her privilege speech, Hontiveros showed pictures of Aguirre using his cellphone during a Sept. 5 hearing into the killings from the war on drugs.
A zoomed in version of the photos showed the exchange of text messages between Aguirre and a certain “Cong. Jing,” who is former Negros Rep. Jacinto Paras, a Volunteers Against Crime.and Corruption member, she said.
“Naturuan na ni Hontiveros ang testigo. Her questions are leading questions,” “Cong. Jing” said, based on Hontiveros’ presentation.
Hontiveros claimed the “witness” being referred to here could be the person who saw Kian Loyd delos Santos being killed by two Caloocan policemen on Aug. 16.
To which Aguirre supposedly replied: “‘Yon nga sinasabi ko dito. Very obvious. Kaya nga expedite natin ang cases niyo vs her.”
“Is the DOJ secretary plotting a case against a sitting senator while a Senate proceeding is going on, right inside the Senate session hall?” Hontiveros asked.
She said there was “no other respectable option but to call on the Justice secretary to resign” after he violated Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”
“Secretary Aguirre undermines our justice system, and his continued stay in office is a vulgar insult to the Filipino people and our efforts for a more just society,” she said.