Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) — Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon urged new poll Commissioner Aimee Torrefranca-Neri to resign before she even faces the Commission on Appointments.
A member of the screening body, Drilon said the CA is expected to be merciless in dissecting the allegations of convict Herbert Colangco against Neri. He advised the appointee to “run for [her] life” considering the serious claims against her integrity.
“I am telling Atty. Neri that whoever your MBA or May Backer Ako is, he cannot influence the CA to set aside these allegations and confirm your appointment. The Commission on Appointments takes this matter seriously,” said Drilon, who chaired four times the constitutional body that confirms or rejects certain presidential appointees.
Ferdinand Topacio, the lawyer of convicted drug lord Herbert Colangco, told ABS-CBN on March 11 that his client gave P10 million to then-Justice Assistant Secretary Neri, to “fix” his pending robbery case in the Supreme Court. Topacio said Neri returned only P7 million after Colangco was convicted in 2018.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Neri told him she is willing to address the allegations in the proper time.
Drilon also questioned the frequent transfer of Neri from one agency to another.
She was assistant secretary of the Department of Justice in 2016, deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration in 2017, and undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in 2018.
Neri was among three Comelec officials appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte last week, two months before the May 9 general election.
