Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday has given Sen. Leila de Lima, her ex-driver/body guard Ronnie Dayan and over 20 others up to December 21 to submit their counter-affidavits in relation to charges over alleged links with the drug trade at the national penitentiary.
Except for one — former New Bilibid Prison (NBP) chief Richard Schwarzkopf — all the other respondents were a no-show during the start of the five-man panel’s preliminary investigation.
Related: NBI files drug complaint vs. De Lima
Sr. Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong explained that they had to give the respondents time to reply since copies of the complaint had yet to be sent to them.
Ong explained to the complainants that the respondents’ right to reply, therefore, cannot be waived just yet.
Meanwile, De Lima explained why she didn’t show up at the agency which she formerly headed.
“It’s not the preliminary interview yet, as I understand, because the subpoena I received was just a subpoena to obtain copies of the complaint and supporting evidence,” she said.
“(It was even noted there) you or your authorized representative.”
Next time, however, the DOJ said the respondents would be required to attend so they could be sworn in with their replies.
CNN Philippine’s Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
