THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) on Monday said visitors of incarcerated former lawmaker Leila de Lima need to secure a court permit to be allowed rights to see her.
"Since the matter is with the courts, there must be a court order to visit," DOJ spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano told reporters.
Clavano pointed out that American lawmakers who had sought an audience with De Lima had also sought court permission.
"Similar to US Senator (Edward) Markey, they were denied at first but were granted visitation rights the day after they filed the motion," Clavano said. "The courts are efficient. (The) PNP (Philippine National Police) is merely following protocol."
De Lima turned 63 years old on Aug. 27 and spent her birthday behind bars at the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame.
A group of well-wishers including former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, was not allowed to visit and informed that a court request was necessary.
Earlier this month, two Muntinlupa courts trying the drug-related charges against de Lima granted permission to allow an American congressional delegation to visit her.
In separate orders dated Aug. 19, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 Judge Romeo Buenaventura and Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara gave permission to the US delegation subject to rules.
Markey had been accompanied by Representatives Alan Lowenthal, John Garamendi, Don Beyer, and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.
No video or audio recording was allowed during the visitation, which was "conducted pursuant to visitation guidelines under PNP that the accused must refrain from making comments or speeches that directly or indirectly have reference to any matter pending before the court in this case, and to submit its report on the action taken within five days.”
The courts likewise said the visitors must strictly observe the safety and health protocols implemented and no media or any form of online or social platform coverage shall be allowed during the visit.
De Lima was still a senator when she was detained on illegal drug-related charges in February 2017. (Benjamin Pulta)
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