Senator Leila de Lima lamented the decision of the Philippine National Police rejecting Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s request to allow her to conduct committee hearings inside Camp Crame.
De Lima said PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde “has been given the wrong legal advice.”
Her statement came two days after the PNP said the courts should decide on matters related to De Lima’s exercise of duty as a legislator.
“Let it be stressed that Senate President Sotto, in his letter-request, is not asking that I be allowed to leave Camp Crame and attend hearings or sessions in the Senate premises,” De Lima said in a statement sent to reporters.
The senator has been detained for a year at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to her alleged involvement in the drug trade.
Sotto, on July 2, requested the PNP to allow De Lima to perform her duties as the Senate committee chairman on social justice, welfare, and development while in detention cell.